While the presence of trees in paddy fields has been
reported in a few other places in Asia, including Madhya
Pradesh (Viswanath et al. 2000), Tamil Nadu (Jambulingam and Fernandes (1988), and Nagaland (Cairns 2007) in
India, as well as in some districts in Bangladesh (Hocking
and Islam 1995), it is in Northeast Thailand (as well as
neighboring parts of Northern Thailand and Laos) where
this unique type of agroforestry system has its widest
extent. It is generally believed that the Isan farmers retain
the trees in their paddy fields as an adaptation to the sandy
infertile soils that characterize the Northeastern Region
(Pendleton 1943). The leaf litter from the trees has been
found to increase the amount of soil organic matter in the
paddy fields and provide needed nutrients to the rice plants
(Vityakon 1993; Vityakon et al. 1993). In addition, the
trees also provide many valuable resources, such as timber,
food, medicine, fuelwood, and livestock feed, that make an
important contribution to rural livelihoods (Grandstaff
et al. 1986; Vityakon 2001).
While the presence of trees in paddy fields has beenreported in a few other places in Asia, including MadhyaPradesh (Viswanath et al. 2000), Tamil Nadu (Jambulingam and Fernandes (1988), and Nagaland (Cairns 2007) inIndia, as well as in some districts in Bangladesh (Hockingand Islam 1995), it is in Northeast Thailand (as well asneighboring parts of Northern Thailand and Laos) wherethis unique type of agroforestry system has its widestextent. It is generally believed that the Isan farmers retainthe trees in their paddy fields as an adaptation to the sandyinfertile soils that characterize the Northeastern Region(Pendleton 1943). The leaf litter from the trees has beenfound to increase the amount of soil organic matter in thepaddy fields and provide needed nutrients to the rice plants(Vityakon 1993; Vityakon et al. 1993). In addition, thetrees also provide many valuable resources, such as timber,food, medicine, fuelwood, and livestock feed, that make animportant contribution to rural livelihoods (Grandstaffet al. 1986; Vityakon 2001).
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