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Fodder Production Versus Food Crop Production: an Economic Comparison in Terms of Return and Land Use Efficiency

Dr. M. Ali Akbar
Professor
Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh, E-mail:akbarma2@gmail.com

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was undertaken to compare the economic benefit derived from growing food crops per unit of land with that from growing fodders in the same unit of land and rearing cattle and find out the land use efficiency. In order to achieve the objectives two field sites (Muktagacha and Baghabari) were selected to grow both food crops and fodder crops. Survey studies in both areas were conducted following PRA technique on existing food cropping system, inputs required, their costs, management, profits, problems related to crop production activities, etc. with 20 farmers (10 medium and 10 small) using structured questionnaire. Then 3 farmers have been selected in each area for cultivation of fodder crops in 2 bighas of land each. The land is almost ready for cultivation. The findings so far indicated that the major existing cropping system in Baghabari milk vita area is mono cropping system: Boro – Flood – Fodder – Boro rice . Other system is: Boro – Flood – Mustard – Boro rice. Whereas in Muktagacha the major cropping system is: T. Aman – Boro – T. Aus – T. Aman. Others e.g. T. Aman – Boro – Legume – T. Aman. The inputs were seeds, fertiliser, irrigation, land preparation and labour for plantation and harvesting. The scored causal diagramme prepared from the PRA study showed that in Baghabari area the most burning problem is the shortage of green fodder during flood (98%) whereas in Muktagacha it is only 8%. On the contrary the shortage of green fodder in dry season is very high (60%) compared to only 10% in Muktagacha. Shortage of straw during February to March is higher in Muktagacha (43%) but in Baghabari is 23%. High price of feed is another big problem in both the areas which is slightly higher in Muktagacha (60%) than that of Baghabari area (52%). Lack of support facility is also a problem in both the areas with similar magnitude (55% and 58%). It may be mentioned here that the problems reported above are only those related to feeding management of the livestock in the study areas. The major findings of the above study was the identification of the problems and opportunities to intervene the feed production and feeding syatem of livestock in the study areas.

SHOULD BE IN PAST TENSE ALL THROUGH

Keywords: Cropping pattern, Fodder crop, Land use efficiency, Economic benefit

Location: Muktagacha and Baghabari

Start Date: 00-00-2011

End Date: 00-00-2012

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Fodder

Objectives:

1. To find out the economic benefit derived from growing food crops with that of growing fodder

2. To compare the efficiency per unit of land in order recommend the best use of land.

Methodology:

The study was conducted at Muktagacha and Baghabari growing both food and fodder crops. Conducted in the year 2011-2012 following PRA technique with 20 farmers (10 medium and 10 small) using structured questionnaire on existing cropping system, inputs requirement, costs, management, profits, problems related to crop production etc.Three farmers were selected in each area for cultivation of fodder crops in 2 bighas of land each. The major existing cropping system in Baghabari milk vita area is mono cropping : Boro – Flood – Fodder – Boro rice . Other system is: Boro – Flood – Mustard – Boro rice. Whereas in Muktagacha the major cropping system is: T. Aman – Boro – T. Aus – T. Aman. Others e.g. T. Aman – Boro – Legume – T. Aman. The inputs were seeds, fertiliser, irrigation, land preparation and labour for plantation and harvesting. The scored causal diagramme prepared from the PRA study showed that in Baghabari area, the most burning problem is the shortage of green fodder during flood (98%) whereas in Muktagacha it was only 8%. On the contrary the shortage of green fodder in dry season was very high in Baghabari (60%) compared to 10% in Muktagacha. Shortage of straw during February to March was higher in Muktagacha (43%) but in Baghabari it was 23%. High price of feed was another big problem in both the areas; which however was slightly higher in Muktagacha (60%) than that of Baghabari (52%). Lack of support facility ( What type ??) is also a problem in both the areas with similar magnitude (55% and 58%).

Source of Information: BAU Research Proceedings Vol 23, 2013

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The major findings of the above study was the identification of the problems and opportunities to intervene the feed production and feeding system of livestock in the study areas.

WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN RESPECT OF OUTPUT/OUTCOME NEEDS TO BE SAID HERE

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings