JapanJapanSociety Society ofForestof Forest Planning
37 Article
Homegarden Agroforestry in Bangladesh:
.m Assessment of Its Role for Farmers' Income Source
Thakurgaon District
Sourovi Zaman'i andMasato Katoh"2
ABSTRACT
lhis study was conducted in Thakurgaon district of Bangladesh and focusecl en the species composition of homegardens, species richnes$, economic importance of homegardens, underlying constraints that lirnit
homegarden productivity and the future prospects of homegarden production. In Bangladesh homegarden agroforestry is the traditional land use system that provides about 6570% of saw logs and about 90% ot fuelwood 'lhe and barnboo consumed in Bangladesh. hemegarden productien system was found poor in terns of level of management in cultural practices. More space might be made for growing rnore trees through proper management
ef trees. Organic fertilizers were not available in sufficient quantities as agricu1tural residues were used as fuel and cattle feed. Modern technology and extension support for improvement ef traditional production system were almost not available. In spite ef land constraint problem in Bangladesh, there were some vacant niches in the
homegardens tihat can be taken under new plantation.
Keytvotztsr agorforestry, forestry, [[hakurgaon, Bangladesh.
number of causes including high rate of pepulation growth, INTRODUCTION global environmenta1 degradation, recovery of land from the forest for human habitation and agricultural practices, as well
Bangladesh is one ef the most densely populated as high demand for wood and fuelwood, the natural vegetation countries ef the world (1,146 peoplefsq. km in 2007). The along with the area of forest land has been decreased to an present population of country stood at 153 mMion alarming stage demanding immediate steps for adequate (GovERr"MENT OF BANGIADEsH, 2007). [[he country covers an aforestation in Bangladesh (LAI, 1988). In this country the area ef 14.7 million hectares, of which land covers 13.76 village forests are in imminent dallger of rapid depletion due to million ha and river O.94 million ha. There are 9.57 mi11ion ha population pressure, and last but not least there is a lack of of cultivable land and about 2.5 million ha of forests in direction of forestry research (BHIJIyAN, 1994). Homegarden Bangladesh (FooD AND AGRIcuuruRE ORGANIzA/-oN, 2005). agroforestry system is both productive and environmentally About 80% of population lives in the rural areas in 17.1 million sound and it has the potential not only to increase the
households spread over 68,OOO vi11ages (GovERNMEN'r oF production of food, fuel, and income for farmers, but also to BANGLADEsH, 2007) . help stop destruction of the worldts forest land (FllRtgANDEs Rural poverty aiid deferestation in Bangladesh are critical and NAIR, 1990) . and interrelated problems. Ihe problems are accelerated by Hornegarden agroforestry is also an age old practice in over-population, land scarcity and natural disasters. Due to a lndian sub-continent where it plays a fundamental role in
"'Professor, Corresponding auther: Dr. Masato Katoh AFC, Forest Measurement and
"PhD student, AFC, Forest Measurement and Planning Laboratory, Forest Science Department, Planning Laboratory, Forest Science Department, Agrieulture Faculty, Shinshu University, 8304, Agriculture Faculty, Shinshu University, 8304, Minami-minowa, Kami-ina, Nagano-399-4598, Minami-minowa, Kami-ina, Nagano-399-4598, Japan.Email/[email protected].
Japan, Email: [email protected].
f Fbx Rann,15:3Z43ceOOg)
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38 Zkeman et al.
agricultural economy UAcALNE, 1984). Of the total fuel energy are generally dominated by trees which can protect the consumed in Bangladesh, 83% supply comes from biomass deforestation and improve the forest resources. In spite of (HAQuE, 1992). Fuelwood together with twigs, leaves and the$e things homegardens are coming under pressure in branch of trees constitutes 15% of biomass energy, while Bangladesh; principal cause is growth ef populatien and land cewdung and crop residues constitute 24% and 61% hunger. respectivery Private lands, homesteads and vi11age groves Homegardens are the most productive component of the supply 75% of timber usecl in the country (HAQuE, 1992). forestry sector in Bangladesh which received little attention. Hemegarden agroforestry is the traditional land use system in Moreover, there has been no program specifically to improve Bangladesh and sustained the population in this area by the overall productivity of homegarden agroforestrM or to providing food for families and cash income (to purchase land, introduce yield increasing technology (FMR 2000) . buying agricultural inputs, repaying loan, meeting educational The study objective was to focus the present situatien of and marriage expen$es fer family rnembers) (KHALEQuE,homegardens (homegarden size, land holding, distribution of 1980. Since time imrnemorial, farmers have been growing land and species composition) which are supplying most of the various trees on their homegardens and crop lands depending fuelwoed, timber as well as livestock's use and econemic
on their needs and experiences, leading te diversification of importance in Miakurgaon. The study was also conducted to species (KHALEQuE, 1987), assume the socio-economic constraints that kmit homegarden In Bangladesh, fieod is very common, raising trees on productivity It is expected that this study will be able to come homegardens are more reliable and are less vulnerable to up with some valuable information that can be used as a toel floed hazards (HAQuE, 1996). From the secio-economic point for different Government and Non Governrnent Organizations of view homegardens is more stable, as farmers never sell working in same field, in designing appropriate research and
their homegardens before their crop lands. A typical development activities in Thakurgaon districL homegarden contains several types of multi purpese tree species, a selection of herbs and vegetables with some animals STUDY AREA (BENE et al., 1977). Trees on homegardens also provide protection to the houses against storm, shade and other The study area lhakurgaon district is situated at the tangible and intangible benefits. Homegardens were the northern part of Banglade$h. The over all forest condition in center of all post harvest processing activities. Home gardens Bangladesh (Fig. 1) is very poor and in northern part is even
fie' ..e?. so- tl s]. t " .-- Kii' N Study areaThakuTgaon [ o (Dth1 Nx.ksll･ ,t/l/k3 XiK{hk ,:. 's'" i gYl S ". , i ,g t ///,1 ///lll: ag i" "ii " ijX { Fig.1 MapofBangladeshshowing distribution of forests(Source-DinajpurForestDivision) NII-Electronic Library Service JapanJapanSociety Society ofForestof Forest Planning HbmagardenAgrojbrestry in Bangtadesh: Assessment ofIts Role for iiZirmers'income Source in 7)leakurgaon District 39 worse with compare tD total area, population and environment. while non-surveys inelude the information through field For total land area of 2,497.92km2, forestland is estimated to be surveM direct observations and secondary sources. enly O.57% (BBS, 2002). 1[he over al1 tree crown covered area (including homestead trees) was estimated only 2% (DinajpurCollection of Primary Data Forest Division, 2005) . Thakurgaon district is located in a long distance from the divisional towns as well as central part of llbusehotds"rvey Bangladesh. The district did not get any attention to the Data were collected from the head of heusehold threugh government or any other development organizations as the interviews. Collected information was verified through visits place has neither econemic nor ecological importance. The and discussions with ether individuals and greups of farmers. district has 5 thanas narnes-Thakurgaen Sadar, Baliadangi, Horipur, Ranishonkoil and Pirgenj and the total population ef SPecies comPosition ofhomagardens these 5 thanas was abeut 1.6 million (GovERrgMEN'r of lhe species composition of homegarden was noted with BANGIADESH, 200n. the help of the farmers and the assi$tants. In each garden each specimen of al1 perennial species with their name, age and METHODOLOGY individual number was recorded by asking the ewner of household and counting by authers. Data Collection Hbuseholdincome The study was conducted during February to March 2e03 Income of each household was categorized into 2 groups; in Thakurgaen district; two thanas namely Baliadangi and income from crop field, income from homegarden. Thakurgaon sadar were selected and 10 households were Secondary clata was cellected from relevant literature, randomly selected from each category ef each thana. All from DAEO), BARC(2}, BARI(3}, SRDI(`), previous research, households were grouped into five farm categories according village extension workers, school teachers and local to size ot land holdings. Using a structured questionnaire, community leaders. formal and informal interviews and field observations were collected for the information. Some information was also DataAnaly$is gathered by group discussions with the farmers. Categories oi households were as fo11ows: At the end of the survey, the re}evant information was fed L Large: owned lancl >2.00ha into the computer for analysis by the MINITAB 11.2 statistical 2. Medium: owned land 1.01- 2.00ha packages. 3. Smal1: owned land O.51- 1.00ha 1.Qualitative Data Analysis-analyzed by using descriptive 4. Marginal: owned land e.21- O.5ha statistics and presented as means, percentages, frequency 5, Iandless:owned by their heuses. A sample of 80 households was selected, 40 frorn 2 thanas with equal number of household from each farm Chi- square tests categery by stratified random sampling. The major Iimitation Chi-square tests were employed to asses the homogeneity of the study was heavy reliance of the farmer's memery ef household responses ameng the different farm categories. Farmers de net keep any record of their farm input used and out put obtained. [Ihe collected inforrnation was verified RESUI;I]S AND DISCUSSIONS through survey the villages and also confirmed with the information of [[hana Agriculture Extension Office. Informa- Constraints of Present Production System tion was collected from both primary and secondary sources. 'IIhese were gathered by survey as well a$ non survey Some constraints were neted during the period of field methods. 1[he survey sources include interviews through a pre- werk.1. tested interview schedule, and farmers' group discussions Lack of cash to buy good quality seed$ or seedlings in the smaller farm categories. 2. Due to financial stringencies the smaller fatm categories can {i) not retain trees for a longer in their homegardens DAE- Department of Agricultural Extension period `2) and they harvest trees at the stage. BARC- Bangladesh Agrieultural Research Council prime growing (3] BARI- Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute 3. Unavailability of space and conflict with neighbors were {`' SIU)l- Soil Resource Development Institute found as major constraint in the small and marginal farm J. Fbx Rann. J5:3Z43ce009) NII-Electronic Library Service JapanJapanSociety Society of Forest Planning 40 Zbman et at, categories. about 65% of large farms had a homegarden in a range of O.11- 4. Lack of knowledge about new technology of hemegarden O.5ha while enly 20% of marginal farms had this size of management. homegardens CI'able 2). [rhough the large farms had a large 5.Difficulties to establish the tree seedlings because of homestead area, they required an open space for different damage by canie. household works like threshing of crops, drying of crep Lack ef high-quality seeds and seedlings to meet local and cloths, and for various social activities. In relation 'Ihakurgaon products demand is also one of the major problems in to use of tota1 land as homegarden, the percentage of tota1 land district due te bad communication and leng clistance from the used as hemegarden was different within the farm categories, divisional cities CABEDIN and QuDDus, 1988) . Though the major Large farm owiier keep a large portion for the homegarden. portion of this disuict is either fiood-free direught area or only The area of homestead varies from O.1 to 1.0ha depending on affected by shallow fiooding, high rainfal1 lmits seedlings the locality or on the financial positien of the house owner and during rainy season through occasional submergence and due to high rate ofpepulatien growth; the area of homestead is saturation of the $oils. Ipw organic matter centent of the soil, decreasing day by day (HAQuE, 1996) . sandy substraturn at a shallow clepth and winter drought may also be the other constraints in Thakurgaon district. Species Compositien in the Homegarden Interaction between forestry and agriculture sector is also has some lacking in thi$ zene. Homegardens in Bangladesh feature a unique combina- tion ef trees, shrubs, vegetables, livestock, animals, ducks, Home Garden Size and Tbtal Land Holdings poultry and pigeon from ancient time (HossAIN and BAIu, 1996). Integration of trees into the farming systems i$ common The average size of homegarden was found different all over the country A total of 77 perennial species was noted within the farm categories. There was strong correlation from the total households surveyed. [[he most common between the total lancl heldings and the hemegarden size. The species found in the homegardens were mango, jack fruit, average size of land holding for the large category was 4.798ha betelnut, banana, and neem. Mango and banana were cornrnon while the land holding for medium, srnal1 and marginal tarm species for all households surveyed. [Ihere was no spatial category was 1.6, O.758 and O.327ha respectively a'able 1). It pattern of species distributien found in the homegardens of was observed that larger the farm size, 1arger the the study area. Lots of non cemmercial tree species such as homegardens, more scope for agriculture production and fiower tree species and some other tree species that used for forest as well as increase farmer's income. Abeut 45% ef fencing ef garden were also found. 1[hese species did not use marginal farms had a hemegarden below O.05ha while only 5% as income source ef households. Ihough it was found 77 of large farrns had this small size ef hemegardens. Out of this, species but actually 55 species of trees were earning source of lhble 1 Size of tota1 land holdings&hemegardens indifferent farm categories (20 households in each category). ttt ' Averagesizeinha(%) Farm category(N)Totallandholding ' HomegardenFarm House'Others harge(20) 4.798 O,330(6,88)2.370(49.40)O.250(5.21)1.848<38.52) Medium{20) 1,600 O.180{1125)O.720(45.00)O.160(10.00)e.540(33.75) Small(20) O.758 O.087(11.48)O.369{48.68)O.078(10.29)O.224(29,55) Marginal(20) O.327 O.066(20,18)O.121(37.00)O.049(14.98)e.091(27.83) Note: Figures in the parenthesis indicate percentage of tetal 1and uses as homegarden 'fable 2Percentage of households by size ef homegardens in different farm categories (20 households in each category) . Homegardensizeha Farrneategory x: - :S2.32, I)F - 9, P- value - O NII-Electronic Library Service JapanJapanSociety Society ofForestof Forest Planning Hbmagarden Agrojbrestry in Bangtadesh: Assessment ofIts Role for liZimaers' income Source inThakurgaonDistrict 41 framers CI'able 3). There are some shade loving crops which were geuing relatively rnere income from their hemegardens grow well under and near by the canopies of trees. These were than the larger farm categeries. 55% of large farms had less Zi"giber qOicinale, Annona sq"amasa, Curtunta longa, ipomoea than 10% income from their homegardens whereas no batatas, CLiPsicum ]intescens, Cblocasia spP., Xdnthosoma spp., household from the marginal farm category got less than 10% Alocasia sp., Amorphophallus spP,, Piper betle and many oi their income frem homegardens. 40% oi marginal farms got vegetables and spices. It was a source of extra income for 2a30% of their income from homegardens whereas no farmer these farms. After discussion with the farmers and local from large farm category got more than 20% of their income agricultural efficers it noted that there was a tendency to plant frem homegardens. The smaller farm category depended new trees ameng the households. Ihe present campaign of more on their homegardens and intensively cultivated by them Government on tree plantatien might be supplemental te (I'able 4), It might be the reason why they got higher enrich the homegarden with new trees and plants in al1 farm percentage of income from their homegardens. wui]e most of categories. Besides this some NGOs have also been working the large categery homegarden owner used their produce for on tree plantation programs especially for poor farmers. In their own househeld's consumptien. Occasionally farmers $old associatien with trees different categories of crops, in respect homegarden produce for cash income. However, the farmers of light requirement, plant height, canopy structure, and of the study area did not practice homegarden primarily for erectness of stem and leaf size, can be grown in the farm yard cash income. Mie farmers ef lhakurgaen district had and home yard under multi-layered production system of practiced homegarden as a part of traclitienal farming wisdom. 'rhe agroforestry age of the trees in homegarden is an Though now a day farrner$ manage their livelihood frem indicator of the development of conscieusness for planting homegarden and its produce. trees. Most of the trees were found in the age group 1-5 and 5 10 years in all farm categories. Lea$t number of trees was livestock and Its Use found in the group above 20 years ef age. Better off households apply a lower discount rate to their cutting The farmers, who own large propenie$, keep more decisions than poorer households, therefore cutung trees at a animals than the fat'mers who own small properties CTable 5). higher age. [rhe larger farm categories had more old trees It was noted that some heuseholds from srnall and marginal (>20 years) than the smaller farm categories. farm categories do not keep animals. Shortage of cash money to buy the animal wa$ the major reason net to keep livestock. Economic Impertance of Homegarden Lack of rnanpewer for attending the animals, shortage of grazing land alse reported as reasons by the farmers those liie incorne from homegarden was signficantly different who do not keep live$teck. Livestock and poultry in rural farm 'lhe within the farm categories (P= O). smaller farin categories fatnilies serve as bank savings that can be easily cashed when Table 3 Number ef trees (/ha) in homegardens according to age of the trees and farm categories. (20 households in each category) Ageofthetreesinyears FarmcategoryTota1species l-5 510 la15 15-20 >20 Totaj LargeMediumSmallMarginal19131211 188160263359 110113180185 25352629 2615114 202286 368345487582 'Plant species other than non commereial tree species Tbble 4 Income share from homegardens to farm categories (20 households in each category)accerding Incomepercentage{fromtotaISnetineome). Farmcategory <10 10-20 2a3o >30 LargeMediumSmallMarginal55205o 45606540 o153040 o5o20 xa - 37.366, DF - 9, P- value - O ' [[btal income - Income from crop field + Income from homegarden J Fbx Hann. 15;3743(200su NII-Electronic Library Service JapanJapanSociety Society of Forest Planning 42 Zdeman et aL Table 5Average number of livestock in farm categeries (20 households in each category)different Averagenutnber FarmcategoryCattle Goat Buffalo Poultry LargeMediumSmallMarginal6.10:S.,F,O2.4JrL75' 2.751.801.701.40O.30o.oee.loo.oo25.5,519,2510.651L60 Table 6Practice of feeding livestock by im'm categories (20 households in each category).different Natureoffeeding(kg) FarmcategoryNatura1grassCropresiduesI. £ affodder*others' IargeMediumSma]1Marginal10.609.2615.l718.4679,1583.4276,9466,152.001.622.2211.698.255,705.673.69 'Others - concentrates, molasses, rice, ete Note: Figures in percentage needed (RAzzAK, 198D. Also larmer can earn rnoney by selling already have negative impacts on welfare of people in northern the milk from dairy and egg from poultry In lhakurgaon part of Bangladesh and threatening their food security and district maximum farmers were using their animals for sustainability of production system. There is an urgent need to agriculture work such as land plaughing and pest harvesting replenish the forest and tree resources for the well-being ef labon All categories ef farmers were tound using crop residues the as well as country Within the diminishing trend of 'lhe peop]e (6683%) a$ livestock feed. 1arger categories were found to forest reserves and land scarcity, only agroforestry especially use more concentrate as cattle feed than smaller farm homegarden agreforestry remains as one of the important categories. [[he smaller farm categories used more natural eptions to meet the diverse necessities of rural peeple and grass as cattle feed than the larger farm categories. Marginal forestry both. farmers used more leaf fodder (11.69%) thmi the others CFable Srnal1 farm owner has a shortage of land, so they have to 6). As smaller farm categories own the smaller piece ef crep use the land mestly by agriculture and forestry 'lhey practicing land, they also had very small quantity of crop residues to feed together. may wait to get the return from the trees for their livestock and also less income from crop fields. It might years and can invest more to get much more from their farms be ene of the reasons why they feed more natural grass and but the needy enes desire quick return frorn their smal1 leaf fodder and also use the srnall amount ef concentrates. investment. It might be the major reason to have less number Free grazing of animal is cemmon practice, but restricted of old trees in the smaller farm category It also indicated that when the fields are covered with creps. Almost everywhere the resource poor farmers cut down their almost all old trees cattle and geats were being to graze, often leading te over- to meeVup their need for cash and they only think about the grazing of an area due to scarcity of forage. Use of rice straw return so they are usually not interested about species as fuel was ene ef the causes for feed shortages in many farm diversity as they are uneducated toe; though small im'mers fatnilies, particularly in poorer farm categeries. have more no oi tree but there are mainly the cembination of same about 10 tree species. Other hand the 1arge farm owner CONCLUSIONS use to plant different types of tree species for manages the biodlversity including wild atypical trees. In Bangladesh the population is increasing day by day and Mer the survey analysis and discu$sion with the creutes tremendous pressure on the iand. Pceple would surely agriculture officer it was found that the traditional migrate from over populated area to other arable and forest homegarden productien system in Thakurgaon di$trict was lands for housing and settlement. As population increases poor in terms of level of poor management in cultural there is a need to intensify the land use in order to support the practices. The homegardens were under-utilized and there 1arger population. Over use and destructien of forest resources were some vacant niches that can be taken under new NII-Electronic Library Service JapanJapanSociety Society ofForestof Forest Planning Hbmagarden Agwf}restry in Bangladesh:Assessment of Jts Rote for lhmaers' incomeSozarce in 7Zeakurgaen District 43 plantation program, especially in the 1arger farms. The modern support in terms of quality planting materials, technical technologies and extension supports te develop the tradkional knew-how for planting and upkeep is alse very important. preduction systems were armost not available. Ib impreve socio-economic conditions of households, designing of new LITERATURE CITED program to develop the homegarden agroforestry preductien system in accordance with farmer's needs, reseurce base, ABEDIN, M.Z. and QuDDus, M.A., (1988): Household fuel situation, goals and preferences and bio-physical setting is an urgent homegardens and agroforestry practices at six agTo-ecologically of Bangla(lesh. In/ Abedin et al. 1990. issue. Bangladesh Government has been patronizing the differentlocations HbmesteadRantation and Agrqforestry in Bangladesh. Proceedings private sector to set up dairy farms, but no step has been taken ef a National workshop held July 17-l9, 1988 in Joydebpur, to ensure adequate supply of fodder. It was revealed that acute Bangladesh shortage of fodder causing malnutrition to livestecks and BBS, (2002): Statistieal Pocket Book of Bangladesh. Bangladesh reduced Iivestocks produces. If proper steps are taken in this Bureau of Statistics. Ministry of Planning, Dhaka regards, number of livestocks can be increa$ed and also more BENE, J,G., BEALu H,G. and ConE,, A., {1977)/ Trees, Fbod and Reople: dairy farms can be set up and more employment opportunities Land imnagement in the 7}vPics. Internationa{ Develepment can be created. Farmers were maintaining their soil fertility by Research Centre, Ottawa using various types of crop residues, tree litter, animal litter, BHuryAN, AA., (1994): Forest Land Agroforestry: The North Bengal etc. Thakurgaon district faced Iots of of over problem Experience. BARC- Winrock International, AFIPFRI'rsR Dhaka and supply of their demand and overall the population Dinajpur Forest Division, (2005): Dinajpur Forest Division At a environmental disasters due te limitations of ]and and it use. In momentary look in Bengali order to solve these preblems, improvement and development FAO, (20e5)/ Yearbook of Bangladesh Forest and Forest Products of homestead forest are necessary Increased tree plantation in 20e4. Food and Agricultural Organlzation, United Nations, Rome non-forest area especially in the homegardens should be the FERNANDEs, E.C.M., and NAIR, RKR, (1990): An evaluation of the structure and of strategy for enhancing tree cover of the country in order to function tropicalhomegardens. In: Kathleen, L Mark Tropical homegarden. United Nations rneet demand for food, fuelwood and timber for households and B. (ecl.). University Press: 105-114 and fodder for livestock, as well as to maintain the FMR (2000): Statistical report. Village Forestry Inventory, Forestry sustainability of preduction system. Master Plan. ADB TLA 1355- BAN!UNDPflAOIBGD188f025 Government of Bangladesh, Statistical Pocketbook RECOMMENDIYI]IONS (2007): Bangladesh 2006. Bangladesh. Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Planning, Dhaka, Bangladesh; 1(} L Development of appropriate small-$cale nursery tech- HAQuE, MA., (1992): Homestead Agroforestry in Bangladesh. Proc. niques, particularly homestead-based, utilizing low-cost Symp. on Herticulture in National Development. Bangladesh inputs available to the household. Horticultural Society Bangladesh Agrieultural University, My- 2. It is very irnportant to high research to give priority menshingh improve the indigenous fruit and timber tree species for HAQuE, M,A., (1996): Prospect of agroiorestry in Bangladesh. In/ the fast-growing homegarden agroforestry and toidentify M.A. Haque {ed.). Agmbrestry in Bangladesh. Mymensingh, trees and Mms suitable for homegarden plantation for Bangladesh the poor one. Hoss,･uN, S.M.A. and BARi, M,N., (1996): Agrofore$try farming Haque Agroji)restry In Bangladesh. 3. Management ef crop residues to eptimize preduction of system. In: M,A. (ed.). both crops and livestock is important. Mymensingh,Bangladesh D.V, Report on Agroforestry, Community Forestry 4. Farmers training are needed in agroforestry technology JAcru.NE, {1984): Project, BGD181!028, Bogra, Bangladesh to increase per unit area of production and some basic k-uu.EQuE, K., (1987): Homestead forestry practices in Bangladesh. knowledge abeut agroforestry with its benefits. Mainly Agroforestry for rural needs. Proceedings of the workshop of the the training need on the basis of farm ownership. Large IUFRO project group 1.15: 1-12. India and medium farmer need to know hew to use their land LAi, C.K., (1988): I]esign of Agroiorestry Systems with special properly, marginal and small farmer needs te know mere reference to Bangladesh. Proc. W6rkshop on Homestead abeut biocliversitsr, help to keep environment conservation. Plantation and Agroiorestry in Bangladesh. BARJ, Gazipug 5. It can be recommended that farmers especially the Bangladesh marginal and small farmers $hould be provided with a RAzzAK, A.M., (1987): Chemical Utility of Forest Resources. suitable credit facility so that trees could be ofiered as Bangladesh Rasoyon Somity 2(2): 22-23 collateral and the lean paid back after harvest of trees at desired maturity which will benefit to both the give (Received 7 October 2008) financial institutions and the farmers. Providing technical (Accepted 18 July 2009) J Fbr.Rann, 15:3743caOOg) NII-Electronic Library Service