Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Economics of Triticale Production as Fodder for Dairy Animals in Bangladesh

Jahangir Alam
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka-1341

M. Akteruzzaman
Professor
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202.

S.M. A. Rahman
PSO
Socio- Economic Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka-1341 .

Q. M. Alam
CSO
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted on 104 farms on the use of triticale as fodder for increasing dairy milk production and income of small-scale dairy farmers following a two-stage purposive sampling technique. Evidence showed that majority of the respondents belong to the working age group with the education of up to secondary level. The average family size was 6.54 and the major occupation of the respondents was agriculture. The highest proportion of income was derived from the crop sector followed by livestock and business sectors. It is evident that all the triticale farmers covered by CIMMYT assistance received training from the Directorate of Livestock Services (DLS) resulting in increased knowledge and skills on triticale production. A remarkable increase of knowledge and skills, adoption and diffusion of triticale technology was observed among the participating farmers. It was evident that triticale could be grown both in favorable and unfavorable environments. In some cases, the fallow land was cultivated or wheat grown area was replaced for producing dual purpose triticale fodder. The cost of production was almost similar for wheat, maize and triticale but the gross return was the highest for triticale followed by mai ze and wheat. The undiscounted BCR was the highest for lentil followed by triticale and maize or wheat. The cost of production of lentil was much lower than any competing crops or that of triticale. Triticale based cropping pattern's gross margin ranked the highest while the net return was the highest for potato based cropping pattern followed by Lentil-Fallow-T. Aman pattern. The net change of farm income on the basis of grain yield of triticale was the lowest (Taka 1645) followed by fodder (Taka 3400). The farm having a smaller land area with few dairy cows reported to have experienced a better change of income (Taka 5045). The study revealed that production of dual purpose triticale could ensure better farm profitability to the small-scale dairy keepers. Therefore, it is recommended to strengthening and up-scaling of triticale program in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Triticale as fodder, Competing crops, Profitability, Dairy farming, Livelihood change

Location: Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka-1341

Start Date: 00-09-2005

End Date: 00-12-2006

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Fodder

Objectives:

To determine the economics of triticale production as fodder for increasing dairy milk production and income of the small-scale dairy farmers.

Methodology:

A two -stage purposive sampling technique was followed for conducting the field survey. In first stage, the districts/areas were selected where triticale production was practiced oth in 2005 and in 2006. The small-scale fodder producers were then categorized as first cycle during September 2005 to June 2006 and second cycle during July to December 2006 covering all the three upazilas under two districts. In some cases, the farms were categorized as training and without training while training demos included distribution of free seeds and fertilizers for triticale and maize production. The dropout farms from 1st cycle and new demos were interviewed. The costs and returns of competing crops like wheat, maize, lathyrus and radish were alsodetermined. Thus, a total of 104 farms were interviewed taking at least 50 from each of the selected districts. Information was gathered through discussion meetings with the key stakeholders at CIMMYT-Bangladesh, DLS, BLRI, BARI (Wheat Research Center) and in their field offices through individual or informal interviews. A survey schedule was pre-designed and finalised after fieldtest. Data were collected from field sites. The authors directly supervised and monitored the data collection. In some cases, Focal Group Discussion (FGD) method was applied to collect data both from the farmers as well as key stakeholders. The filed survey was confined during 30 January to 10 February, 2007. Farm business analytical technique was followed for determining the cost and return of maize and triticale as well as other crop enterprises. Partial budgeting technique was also used to determine the additional change of income due to inclusion of fodder cultivation in farm business for small scale cattle holders. The sensitivity analysis was done to estimate the risk consideration in production of maize and triticale as fodder for small scale dairy producers. A sub-sector and market assessment model was used to identify the constraints and opportunities. Appropriate statistical tools were used for better precision and validation of findings.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Livestock Research, Vol: 13 (1 & 2), PP: 1-16, 2006, ISSN: 1022-3851

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The triticale fodder technology was found to have considerable relative advantage over the existing comparable technologies. The users were able to derive benefits to their desired extent. Average milk production has increased at the rate of 25% per cow per day through feeding succulent green fodder. This has led to an increase of income among the users. Hence, it is concluded that the triticale fodder technology contributed significantly to increasing income of the users vis-a-vis in improving their livelihood status. It is further concluded that the technology package is compatible and has scope for wider diffusion among other members in the farming community. Therefore, the promotional activities on this technology should be spread among farmers at larger scale. The concerned government department(s)/ agencies and NGOs should come forward and take the responsibilities of diffusing the technology and related information to relevant farmers through their regular extension programs.

Knowledge Management: Journal