Species diversity and economic returns of five different components namely
timber, fruit, fuelwood, vegetables and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in
homestead agroforestry system were studied at two smallest administrative units
(Union) namely Betagi and West Demsha under Chittagong district. Most of the
available species under each component at both locations were common. With little
exception, the frequency distribution of each component species was similar in all
household categories at each study location. Tree components for timber and fruit
were more in West Demsha than in Betagi, whereas components for fuelwood,
vegetables and NTFPs were more in Betagi. However, the economic returns from
vegetable component were more than those from any other component in both the
study locations. The results indicated that homestead agroforestry systems in the
study locations were traditional, and generally immediate income generating
component like vegetables had been selected by the small and medium households
in the establishment of such system.