Homegardens as a distinct agro-ecological entity in Kerala: Its biodiversity, structural dynamics and environmental significance
2013
Thomas, Allan | Bhaskaran, C. | Prakash, R. | Usha, C.T.
Homegardens in Kerala represents a subsistence land-use system typical of tropical Indian South, where interaction and intimate association of different production components (crop-tree-animal mix combine) insitu are intensively facilitated and managed by family labour so as not only to meet the food production but also to generate additional income through sale of farm surplus. This interaction and intimate association makes it ever evolving and unique in its unique structural configuration and cropping patterns. It is the predominant type of agricultural production system in the state of Kerala. Increase in population, emerging nucleotide family structure and high rate of fragmented holdings year round leading to decreased land for agriculture raises the conservation status of these land-use systems and makes it necessary for a ‘homegarden policy’ in regions where they are found. Homegarden is important as reservoirs of agricultural biodiversity and knowledge and it help in formulating strategies to ensure effective and meaningful programmes for the holistic development of the state in terms of biodiversity, structural dynamics and environmental significance. The effect of variance in the structure and function of Kerala homegardens in this study implies that the match between the variation in priorities of the home and the spatial arrangement of the homegarden was strong environmentally, socio-economically and biophysically.
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