Alternate Land Use Systems (ALUS)
Concept
- Alternate Land Use Systems = Utilization of land resources in ways other than conventional arable cropping to ensure sustainability, productivity, and ecological balance.
- Important for fragile, degraded, rainfed, and marginal lands where traditional crop farming is unsustainable.
- Aim → “Produce more per unit of land, conserve natural resources, improve livelihood & mitigate climate change.”
Objectives of ALUS
- Efficient use of marginal/degraded lands.
- Improve soil fertility & structure.
- Diversify income sources for farmers.
- Reduce risk under rainfed conditions.
- Enhance carbon sequestration & biodiversity.
- Conserve soil and water resources.
Types of Alternate Land Use Systems
- Agroforestry Systems
- Integration of trees/shrubs + crops ± livestock.
- Improves soil organic matter, microclimate, biodiversity.
- Types:
- Agri-silviculture → crops + trees.
- Silvi-pastoral → trees + grasses/pasture.
- Agri-horticulture → field crops + fruit trees.
- Agri-silvi-pastoral → crops + trees + livestock.
- Examples (India):
- Poplar/Eucalyptus + Wheat in NW India.
- Mango + Pulses in rainfed regions.
2️. Alley Cropping (Hedgerow Intercropping)
- Food/fodder crops grown between hedgerows of leguminous trees/shrubs (e.g., Leucaena, Gliricidia).
- Hedgerows provide mulch & N-enrichment.
- Suitable for sloping, erosion-prone lands.
3️. Ley Farming
- Alternating improved pastures (legumes/forage crops) with food crops.
- Legumes improve soil fertility, break pest/disease cycles.
- Example: Stylosanthes + Sorghum rotation in rainfed areas.
4️. Agri-horticultural Systems
- Field crops + fruit trees on same land.
- Ensures short-term (crops) + long-term (fruits) income.
- Example: Mango/Guava + Pulses/Oilseeds in Bundelkhand.
5️. Agri-silvi-pastoral Systems
- Combines crops + trees + pasture/grass.
- Best for degraded, wastelands, and rainfed regions.
- Example: Subabul + Sorghum + Stylosanthes.
6️. Silvi-pastoral Systems
- Trees + pasture/forage (without arable crops).
- Provides fodder, fuelwood, and soil conservation.
- Example: Leucaena + Guinea grass.
7️. Horti-pastoral Systems
- Fruit trees + pasture/forage.
- Example: Ber/Guava orchards + perennial grasses in semi-arid zones.
8️. Pasture-based Systems
- Permanent fodder grasses/legumes on marginal lands.
- Useful for grazing livestock.
- Example: Dichanthium, Cenchrus pastures in drylands.
9️. Tree Farming / Block Plantation
- Trees planted on marginal, community, or farm boundaries.
- Provides timber, fuelwood, shelterbelts, windbreaks.
- Example: Casuarina/Eucalyptus on degraded lands.
10. Alley & Contour Farming (Erosion Control); On slopes/hilly terrain, crops grown along contours or terraces with trees/grasses to minimize erosion.
Comparison with Conventional Systems
- Conventional → monocropping, soil degradation, low resilience.
- ALUS → diversified, sustainable, improves resource use efficiency.
Exam Crux
- ALUS ensures food–fodder–fuel–timber–fruit security.
- Best suited for rainfed India (~70% of cultivated area).
- ICAR recommends → Agri-horti, Agri-silvi-pastoral, Ley farming for drylands & degraded areas.
- Plays major role in climate change mitigation via carbon sequestration.
One-liner conclusion: “Alternate Land Use Systems provide sustainable options for fragile and rainfed ecosystems by integrating crops, trees, pastures, and livestock for enhanced productivity and resource conservation.”
