Abstract

In Kerala, homestead farming is the most prevalent type of land use system. The traditional homegardens of the state is generally a complex system. Multi-tiered and multi-species structure of the system makes it to simulate a natural forest. Analysis of biological and economic contributions of tree components in homegardens indicated that enhancement of tree species richness in the system is important to make it an ecologically and economically sustainable land-use pattern. In this paper, some major constraints in the quest for ecologically sustainable homestead farming are discussed. Necessity of strengthening research on tree components and launching of extension activities, education and training for farmers on agroforestry are highlighted