to assess the economic viability, cost-benefit performance, and long-term financial sustainability of selected agroforestry systems

Abstract

This study assessed the economic performance of five agroforestry systems at the AICRP (Agroforestry) Farm, JNKVV, Jabalpur during 2021 to 22 and 2022 to 23. The systems evaluated were Dalbergia sissoo-wheat, Gmelina arborea-mustard, Acacia nilotica-wheat, Millettia pinnata-wheat and Mangifera indica-linseed. Significant variation occurred in crop yield, wheat equivalent yield (WEY) and economic returns. The M. pinnata-wheat system recorded the highest biological, grain and straw yields, along with the maximum pooled WEY (5198.39 kg ha?¹). Tree-component analysis showed that A. nilotica - wheat produced the highest gross and net returns and the best B:C ratio due to superior woody biomass. System-level evaluation combining tree and crop returns identified A. nilotica - wheat as the most profitable model, followed by M. pinnata-wheat. Overall results indicate that species with favourable canopy structure, higher biomass and positive tree - crop interactions ensure better productivity and long-term economic sustainability in Central Indian agroforestry systems.