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Journal Article
JA0133-04
Article TitleA preliminary classification of fruit-based agroforestry in a highland area of northern Thailand
AuthorB Withrow-Robinson, D E Hibbs, P Gypmantisiri and David E Thomas
Year1999
Journal TitleAgroforestry Systems
InstitutionKluwer Academic Publishers
Volume42
Issue2
Pages195-205
Call NumberJA0133-04
KeywordsCropping systems, hill tribe, home gardens, land use, mainland mountainous Southeast Asia
Abstract:
Tree fruit crops are an increasingly important component of highland cropping systems in northern Thailand. A survey was conducted in three highland hill tribe villages in an upland watershed in Mae Hong Son Province to examine and classify the fruit-based cropping activities used by villagers. Members of ten households in each village were interviewed to establish activities and crop histories for each plot of land held by the household. From the sample of 85 'gardens' (plots with ten or more fruit trees), a field-level classification structure was developed reflecting function of trees, use and nature of herbaceous intercrops, and pattern of components. Through the classification process, four groups and 11 subsystems of highland tree fruit-based agroforestry were identified. The single most abundant subsystem was 'Mixed home gardens'. A strong commercial element was also obvious. The survey indicates a very diverse 'customized' use of the fruit cropping system. The classification has potential for use in more extensive surveys of the nature of fruit cropping activities in the highlands and as a tool for further analysis in the study area.
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