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Socioeconomic Analysis of Alternative Farming Systems in Improving Livelihood Security of Small Farmers in Selected Areas of Bangladesh

Sadika Sharmin
School of Health Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinag, Malaysia

M. Serajul Islam
Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh

Md. Kamrul Hasan
Spices Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bogra, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present study attempted to determine the economic returns of alternative farming system of integrated farming aiming to address the livelihood security of small farm households. One hundred and sixty small and medium farmers practicing in four different FS such as Crop-Poultry (C-P), Crop- Poultry-Pond fisheries (C-P-F), Crop-Livestock-Poultry (C-L-P) and Crop-Livestock-Poultry-Pond fisheries (C-L-P-F) were selected from Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur district. The main information collected were socio-demographic characteristics of farm households, household income from farm and non-farm sources, size of land holding and farming system followed, livestock and poultry rearing and pond fish culture, and effect of integrated farming on household income and livelihood security of small farm households. Data were collected covering one production period during 2009-2010. For estimating farm income of small farm household, whole farm approach was considered. Increased number of farm enterprises caused higher farm income. However, considering the small farm practices and whole farm approach, the farm income as well as net return was higher for C-L-P-F farmers (Tk. 57002), followed by C-L-P (Tk. 52978), C-P-F (Tk. 20447) and C-P (Tk. 13734) farmers. Some of the most commonly used factors in the assessment of livelihood security included those related to household income and expenditure, expenditure spent on food, adequacy of food taken, household structure and facilities, owning household assets, and access to drinking water and sanitation, and other basic needs of farm household. All these socioeconomic factors were found to be related livelihood security of small farmers in Bangladesh. Women were more involved in income earning activities and household decision making with the introduction of integrated farming in small farm condition.

Keywords: Alternative farming system, Livelihood security, Integrated farming, Small farmers

Location: Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Income generation

Objectives:

To examine the integrated farming practiced under different farming system and its contribution to household income of small farmers and
To determine the present socioeconomic condition of small farmers aiming to address their livelihood security being improved through integrated farming.

Methodology:

The present study targeted mainly small farmers from three sadar upazilas of three districts namely Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur, respectively. For simplicity, sample households were categorized into two groups according to their size of holdings as small (0.05 – 2.49 acres) and medium farmers (2.50 – 7.49 acres). Small and medium farmers who followed the respective farming system were selected as sample farmers. Both small and medium farmers own small size of land and accordingly, land size (acre) was considered to determine the size of sample farmers. Three villages were selected from each sadar upazila. A list of farmers was then prepared for each village in each upazila. From each upazila, respective number of farm households under different FS was selected randomly from the list. In total 160 farmers were selected of whom 130 were small farmers and those of 30 were medium farmers. For this study, data and information were collected from the heads of the farm households. The information was collected through direct interview by the field investigators. Following the objectives of the study, a structured questionnaire was developed and used for the survey. The questionnaire was presented in the field and necessary changes were made before the final survey was conducted. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted to determine gender role and women participation in small farming and household activities. The main information collected were socio-demographic characteristics of farm households, household income from farm and non-farm sources, size of land holding and farming system followed, livestock and poultry rearing, and pond fish culture; and effect of integrated farming on household income and livelihood security of small farm households. Data were collected covering one production period during 2009- 2010. Farm operators or owners of households were taken as the unit of analysis. The data and information so collected were coded, tabulated and analyzed by using arithmetic mean, percentage and ratio. Most of the analyses were done by categorizing the respondent households into two land ownerships groups - small and medium farmers under four different FS. However, sample households were drawn on the basis of land holding and number of cattle and poultry birds owned, and farmers practicing pond fish culture.

Source of Information: The Agriculturists 10 (1): 51-63 (2012) ISSN-1729-5211, A Scientific Journal of Krishi Foundation

Article Link (Online Journal): http://banglajol.info/index.php/AGRIC/article/view/11065/8092

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

With the changing land use patterns and extension of diversified farming, small farmers included more enterprises in farm practices to have better food security and improving livelihood. Moreover, with the increased number of farm enterprises, achieved higher income of the selected small farm households. Considering whole farm approach, the farm income as well as net return of farm enterprises was higher for farmers belonging to C-L-P-F FS compared to C-L-P, C-P-F and C-P farmers. Socioeconomic factors such as household income, expenditure on food, household structure and facilities, and access to drinking water and sanitation were found better at present farming system practiced by small farmers. Regarding gender role and gender participation, the study showed that most of the women were involved in homestead income generating activities. They were also involved in household decision making with the introduction of integrated farming in small farm condition.

Knowledge Management: Journal