Critical Analysis
Positives:
There are still many positive outcomes of growing Nepalese alder wood, such as terminating erosion in hillside areas. Many farmers who grow alnus nepalensis intercrop it with annual crops such as maize, pumpkin, chili and most commonly it is used for shade in cardamom crops (Agroforestry, 2015). It is often then recycled for firewood use, or charcoal fuel. Nepalese alder wood can also help to generate a second source of income for these farmers who are already intercropping it. It will take work in order to start up in the business of furniture making, boxes or construction but once involved it could have major economic benefits for farmers in the hillside regions of Nepal.
Negatives:
Although there are many benefits that can come from hillside farmers growing Nepalese alder, there are also many difficulties that can arise. A. Nepalensis is extremely susceptible to wind damage, particularly in the first year of growth. This product is also exceptionally susceptible to disease and pests – specifically to assault by defoliators (an adult or larva insect that strips all the leaves from the tree) Anomala spp. and Oreina spp. An economically important pest is an aphid called Eutrichosiphum alnifoliae; it is significant as it will attack the tree in its young stages of development (Agroforestry, 2015).
There are still many positive outcomes of growing Nepalese alder wood, such as terminating erosion in hillside areas. Many farmers who grow alnus nepalensis intercrop it with annual crops such as maize, pumpkin, chili and most commonly it is used for shade in cardamom crops (Agroforestry, 2015). It is often then recycled for firewood use, or charcoal fuel. Nepalese alder wood can also help to generate a second source of income for these farmers who are already intercropping it. It will take work in order to start up in the business of furniture making, boxes or construction but once involved it could have major economic benefits for farmers in the hillside regions of Nepal.
Negatives:
Although there are many benefits that can come from hillside farmers growing Nepalese alder, there are also many difficulties that can arise. A. Nepalensis is extremely susceptible to wind damage, particularly in the first year of growth. This product is also exceptionally susceptible to disease and pests – specifically to assault by defoliators (an adult or larva insect that strips all the leaves from the tree) Anomala spp. and Oreina spp. An economically important pest is an aphid called Eutrichosiphum alnifoliae; it is significant as it will attack the tree in its young stages of development (Agroforestry, 2015).