Integrated management of multistrata production systems under newly established RAMPT models of roadside and slopeland agroforestry
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The alarming food crisis of the world demands immediate necessary steps for the development of sustainable systems for more food production and food security in an overpopulated country like Bangladesh. There are presence of huge fallow and wastelands along the sides and slopelands of the network of roads, highways, railways, irrigation canals, embankments, farm and homestead boundaries etc. in plain lands, and also in the riparian and hilly areas of Bangladesh. With a view to bringing these fallowlands under planned development and integrated cultivation along with soil conservation, landscape development and environmental benefits, the newly developed models, commonly termed as Roadside Agroforest Multistoried Production Technologies (RAMPT), have been established at Bangladesh Agricultural University Campus, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The models have been designed to utilize every inch of land, accommodate increased number of suitable species for higher economic return, encourage biodiversity with integration of various types of MPTS including Azadirachta and Sesbania, herbaceous crops, spices, medicine and oil, biodiesel yielding plants, increase soil fertility and check soil erosion, and finally to maintain healthy environment. The models are also replicable to other similar slopelands such as raised farmland, homestead, office premise or institutional boundary slopes, embankment and hill slopes, etc. and pond, lake, canal or river sides as well. The managed models have appeared as attractive and effective multistoried production and insect repellent systems, and are expected to be sustainable, since Sesbania is continuously adding leaf biomasses and N2 to the systems along with regular yield of flower vegetables, forage and fuel wood.