Question

An agroforestry, taungya, consists of
(a) Growing crops in between rows of trees
(b) Growing crops after removal of trees
(c) Growing trees on degraded soils
(d) All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Agroforestry contains the terms ‘agro’ which stands for agriculture and forestry. Hence, this term should apply to a technique that combines the two of these together to create a beneficial and fertile ecosystem where both agricultural and forest species can thrive.

Complete answer:
- Taungya is a Burmese form of agroforestry where crops are grown between rows of trees or trees.
- The system starts with growing orchards or tree plantations, the trees are small and widely-spaced. Seasonal crops are grown in the spaces. More complex forms of taungya cultivate multiple crops in the free spaces.

- Common crops that are grown in taungya are paddy, maize, groundnuts, etc.
- This system controls the weed population, increase in employment opportunities, and provides maximum utilization of the site.
So, the correct answer is ‘Growing crops in between rows of trees’.

Additional Information:
- Three types of Taungya exist depending on the number of people and contracts given for hiring them. These are departmental, leased, and village taungya.
- In India, it is still practiced in some states in the south and in the northeastern hilly region.
- Biodiversity in agroforestry systems are higher than their agricultural counterparts as interactions between two or more plants lead to the formation of a new support system for fauna and microbes.
- The trees planted can work as bioremediators, reduce soil erosion, and provide drought stability to crops.

Note: - Taungya is a type of tropical agroforestry. Other types of tropical agroforestry include hillside systems, shade crops, and Itteri agroforestry.
- The system was initially used to grow inexpensive timber plantations.
- The disadvantage of the system is that the possibility of soil erosion increases.