The economics of the tree plantation crops is summarized in this paper. Aleurites spp. cultivation gives good economic returns. However, the end product of this crop is an oil which is particularly used in industries. Therefore, it is highly dependent on external market forces. At present, most requirement of this oil is met from imports. This also necessitates that the cost of production should be minimal to warrant a competitive price. Poor infrastructure and hilly terrains put these traditional farmers at a disadvantage vis-a-vis their counterparts elsewhere. Still, Aleurites spp. had a good economic potential and support from the government can provide the required impetus to the cultivation of this crop. It can provide an alternative livelihood to shifting cultivators not only in Mizoram but in other states as well where agroclimatic conditions favor the growth of this tree. On Livistonia jenkinsiana, at present, the produce has a small market which can possibly expand in terms of its demand. However, large market expansion is impossible as the leaves must compete with modern house building materials. Thus, it can provide an alternative to shifting cultivation only to a limited extent. Intervention in terms of value addition and market expansion is desirable. Thysanolaena maxima, on the other hand, has a high benefit cost ratio and very good market, processing and value addition facilities have also come up in nearby lowland trading centers. As a result, T. maxima cultivation is expanding rapidly. Even without any external intervention, the farmers are getting good returns. In villages where the farmers have taken up the cultivation of this crop, within 10-15 years it has almost completely occupied all the lands previously used for shifting cultivation. T.maxima had low starting cost and quick returns (on the second year). The other two species have high cost on the first three years. In particular, Aleurites can give the highest income over six years

Results of the study showed the following: 1) There exists an extremely broad range of agricultural and agroforestry land-use alternatives to the current slash-and-burn systems but much work needs to be done. 2) There is a major need for scientific quantification of the many attributes of the most promising systems. 3) There is a need for national policy to discourage use of environmentally destructive systems and to encourage longer-term investment by finding solution to land tenure uncertainty. Innovative marketing approaches that open large market segments for agroforestry fruit products (such as the soft drink market) have been extremely successful but not well documented in many parts of Asia. 4) There is a need to "harness" and distribute the best farmers knowledge about integrated systems, but have little successful experience with this. 5) Finally, scientist must realize that the scientific knowledge base covering the range of options is frightfully narrow, and the scope for learning is enormous. The success stories of imaginative application of the many options give hope, but at the same time stretch our abilities, to understand and to properly apply the numerous technologies waiting for more widespread use