Perceptions, attitudes and preferences in agroforestry among rural societies of Kashmir, India

Journal Title: Journal of Applied and Natural Science - Year 2015, Vol 7, Issue 2

Abstract

People’s perceptions, attitudes and preferences in agroforestry have become fundamental elements of sustainable agroforestry management. The study examined the multiplicities and dimensions of people’s perceptions about agroforestry values, attitudes towards agroforestry benefits and resources preferences in agroforestry and their socioeconomic determinants in rural societies of Kashmir. The data were collected from 142 households of 5 villages selected employing multi-stage random sampling. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for the data analysis. Results indicated that the material values (rank 1st to 3rd) of agroforestry were perceived as the most important while the perception of the non-material values (rank 4th to 10th) were adjudged moderately important. People’s attitudes towards the tangible benefits (rank 1st to 3rd) of agroforestry were highly favourable whereas attitudes towards intangible benefits (rank 4th to 10th) were indifferent. The rural people expressed higher preferences for fuel wood, fodder, vegetable, fruit, and timber (rank 1st to 5th) while moderate or low preferences for medicine, cottage industry/ handicrafts, fiber/ floss, oilseeds and animals/ birds/ insects etc. (rank 6th to 10th). F statistics (p < 0.05) showed significant differences between the material and non-material values, tangible and non-tangible benefits and resources groups. Correlation co-efficients (r) confirmed the importance of socioeconomic attributes in influencing people’s perceptions, attitudes and preferences in agroforestry. The findings will help to refine and enrich the knowledge-base to provide an effective framework for decisions and policy making to sustain and maintain agroforestry health and services. The integration of people’s socio-psychological conditions in sustainable agroforestry management will be effective strategy commensurating the current development and future challenges.

Authors and Affiliations

M. A. Islam, T. H. Masoodi, S. A. Gangoo, P. A. Soofi, G. M. Bhat, A. A. Wani, Amarjeet Singh, A. R. Malik

Keywords

Related Articles

Insect cellulolytic enzymes: Novel sources for degradation of lignocellulosic biomass

Alternative and renewable fuels derived from lignocellulosic biomass offer the potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate global climate change. Cellulose is one of the major structural components in...

Qualitative ultrastructural changes and morphometry of deccani sheep spermatozoa preserved with egg yolk citrate extender

The present investigation was aimed to study the sequential changes in the sperm cell deterioration dur-ing liquid storage of Deccani sheep breed semen from dilution to 48 h of storage along with its seminal characteris-...

Damage potential of Tetranychus urticae Koch to cucumber fruit and foliage: Effect of initial infestation density

Field trials were conducted to assess the damage potential of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) on cucumber (Cucumis sativus Linnaeus). Young cucumber plants were artificially infested with different den...

Refinement of fertilizer recommendation based on Soil Test Crop Response technology for rice under System of Rice Intensification

A study on Soil Test Crop Response based Integrated Plant Nutrition System (STCR - IPNS) were conducted adopting an Inductive cum Targeted yield model in non-calcareous sandy loam soils of Lithic Haplusteptat Regional Re...

Scope of ornamental fisheries in snow fed rivers of Uttarakhand - Overview

Upland rivers of hills of Uttarakhand are unique in its ecosystem and biodiversity. These waters possess various varieties of ornamental fishes. The present study focuses on Scope of ornamental fisheries in snow fed rive...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP284014
  • DOI 10.31018/jans.v7i2.717
  • Views 94
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

M. A. Islam, T. H. Masoodi, S. A. Gangoo, P. A. Soofi, G. M. Bhat, A. A. Wani, Amarjeet Singh, A. R. Malik (2015). Perceptions, attitudes and preferences in agroforestry among rural societies of Kashmir, India. Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 7(2), 976-983. https://europub.co.uk./articles/-A-284014