AGRO-FORESTRY AND SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCTION: A SYNERGISTIC APPROACH TO ENHANCING FARMER INCOME

Abstract

A recent study investigated the potential of doubling farmers' income by integrating various agro-forestry models with small ruminant production. Three agro-forestry model types were established: Silvipature (Type I), Hortipasture (Type II), and Hortisilvipasture (Type III), each covering an acre of land in the farmers' fields. The study analyzed the economics of these models under irrigated conditions, including establishment costs, expected income from small ruminant integration, and additional income from horticultural plants. Results indicated that the optimal utilization of available land through horti-pasture and hortisilvi-pasture, combined with sheep production, provided additional income for farmers.