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Okra tree crop agroforestry model: economic and environmental impact

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Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is a beneficial vegetable and oil crop that has found valuable use as food, paper, medicine, and oil. However, because of climate change, a lack of better okra cultivars that can resist drought has hampered okra production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and across the world. This study aimed to investigate the economic production of this vegetable in a forest setting. The okra (A. esculentus L.) experiment was conducted underneath three forest trees (i.e. Albizia lebbeck, Melia azedarach, and Leucaena leucocephala) in the agroforestry area. A single-factor Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was utilised. The sample was then separated into three groups: okra-L. leucocephala agroforestry, okra-M. azedarach agroforestry, and okra-A. lebbeck agroforestry. The findings of the study revealed that okra production had differed significantly in three agroforestry practices. The fresh okra yield was highest (10.20 ton/ha) in the okra-A. lebbeck agroforestry. The okra-L. leucocephala agroforestry (9.10 ton/ha) came in second, while the lowest yield was in the okra-M. azedarach agroforestry (8.90 ton/ha). Moreover, the okra-A. lebbeck agroforestry recorded the maximum benefit–cost ratio (3.97) for economic performance. This ratio was 21% and 14% higher compared to the respective performance of the okra-M. azedarach agroforestry and okra-L. leucocephala agroforestry. However, the highest amount of carbon sequestration (238.90 ton/ha/yr) was measured in the okra-M. azedarach agroforestry as well as (229.80 ton/ha/yr) in the okra-A. lebbeck agroforestry practice. Finally, the okra-A. lebbeck agroforestry practice would significantly increase production, touching financial benefit and ensuring sound environmental quality using the vacant woodlot space.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express sincere gratitude to the Department of Agroforestry and Environment of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200, Bangladesh, for supporting the research work.

Funding

This research was supported by Prince of Songkla University from grant number ENV6502112N.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agroforestry and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, 5200, Bangladesh

    Md. Hafiz All Amin

  2. Faculty of Environmental Management, Sustainable Energy Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, 90110, Songkhla, Thailand

    Md. Hafiz All Amin

  3. Agricultural Innovation and Management Division, Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, 90110, Songkhla, Thailand

    Most. Mottakina Akter

  4. Environmental Assessment and Technology for Hazardous Waste Management Research Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, 90110, Songkhla, Thailand

    Warangkana Jutidamrongphan & Kua-anan Techato

  5. Center of Excellence On Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Warangkana Jutidamrongphan & Kua-anan Techato

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  1. Md. Hafiz All Amin
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  2. Most. Mottakina Akter
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Correspondence to Kua-anan Techato.

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Amin, M.H.A., Akter, M.M., Jutidamrongphan, W. et al. Okra tree crop agroforestry model: economic and environmental impact. Environ Dev Sustain 25, 12527–12542 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02577-z

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