Taungya System in the Blue Nile Riverine Forest Reserves

Abstract

The study deals with the taungya system in the Blue Nile Riverine forests, with special reference to Gazair Forest in Suki Forest Circle, Sennar State. The system allows farmers to grow their crops between rows of sunt seedlings during the initial establishment under control of forestry officials. The study tackled the problems that faced the system. The experimental layout was carried out through randomized complete block design with three replicates for each crop and four replicates per block for every sunt planting distance (total replicates were 36). The planting distances for sunt were 2 x 2 m, 3 x 3 m and 4 x 4 m, with a total area of four feddans. The selected crops were chickpea (Cicer arietinum), haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). The objective of the study was to test the effects of intercropping on sunt growth in order to extend the cropping period for at least two seasons. The other objectives were to bridge the gap in knowledge by generating a technical package on silvicultural and agronomical aspects regarding these components of the system, in addition to proposing a suitable approach for farmers’ participation in the system. The results show no significant differences in sunt growth (using parameters of height and diameter) between control and under the different crops involved after two cropping seasons for all planting distances. However, sunt under watermelon attained a higher growth than under control at sunt spacing of 3 x 3 m and 4 x 4 m. Since flooding was the only means of irrigation, soil moisture was tested monthly throughout the two cropping seasons using Theta probe devices. All results show that soil moisture was very ample and adequate for all crops and seedlings. The yield of agricultural crops was fairly considerable during the first season as compared to similar conditions of dry tropical zones, except for haricot bean. Yield figures were: Chick pea = 1083 kg/ha (454.9 kg/fed), haricot bean = 124 kg/ha (53 kg/fed) and watermelon = 3,564 kg/ha (1496.9 kg/fed). There was a reduction in yield of crops during the second season for most of the planting distances. The means were: Chick pea = 13.9% and watermelon = 73%. However, there was an increase in yield of haricot bean by 16.5% The most important research finding was that the intercropping period has been increased to two seasons, provided the proper tending of sunt seedlings (pruning and singling) Through taungya practices, results showed a reduction and saving of the initial cost of sunt establishment for 114 man-days/ha/yr (48 man-days/feddan/year). The cost amounts to almost 10,000 SD (ten thousand Sudanese dinars) per feddan per year. The socioeconomic survey, which was carried out through a questionnaire, interviews and direct observations, revealed that all farmers that participated in the system were getting benefit from the production of different crops and fodder. The system also provided labour during the dry season. In this respect, 57% of the respondents admitted that they own no agricultural land (17 farmers out of 30) other than that provided by taungya.