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The Family Approach for Scaling Out of Leaf Colour Chart Based Nitrogen Management in Rice

M. HARUNUR RASHID
Rice Farming Systems Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M. A. HOSSAIN KHAN
Rice Farming Systems Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M.MURSHEDUL ALAM
International Rice Research Institute Bangladesh Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

In the traditional technology transfer process, the role of active participation of family members, immediate to household head, is not considered. Two sets of target audiences, lead farmers for the traditional method and family members for the family approach were trained to evaluate the expansion scenario of Leaf Colour Chart (LCC) based nitrogen management in rice. In the family approach (FA), young sons or brothers of the farmers helped in demonstrating the new technology and adoption by participating in the field activities directly. On the other hand, young daughters and wife helped in keeping the LCC in a safe place, reminded the farmers about the fertilizer rate and date for taking LCC readings and timely application of nitrogen following LCC use guidelines. On an average, each trained family shared knowledge on the technology with 6.2 neighbouring farmers whereas 2.03 farmers were informed by each lead farmer. The technology adoption was enhanced remarkably due to participation of family members. The higher rate of adoption of FA technology by the neighboring farmers compared to Lead Farmer Approach (LFA) proved its cost effectiveness

Keywords: Leaf colour chart, Nitrogen management, Rice, Cost-effectiveness

Location: Chuadanga, Meherpur and Jhenaidah districts

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Commodity: Rice

Objectives:

To evaluate two uptake pathways, (traditional and family approach) for scaling out the LCC-based nitrogen management in rice.

Methodology:

The LCC is a diagnostic tool of measuring leaf color in situ in the field and to determine the right time of N topdressing in rice. It is like a ruler made of high-quality plastic and consists of four-color panels or shades from light yellowish green (No. 2) to dark green (No. 5). The color panels are fabricated with veins resembling rice leaves. The color panels are used as reference for identifying the optimal leaf color that needs to be maintained throughout the crop cycle to obtain higher yields. The optimal leaf color varies depending on variety and crop establishment technique and is termed as critical LCC value (Balasubramanian et al. 1999). Farmers need to apply N fertilizer (urea) when leaf color falls below the critical value. Selection of site and farmer: In collaboration with DAE, two villages in each Sadar Upazila of Chuadanga, Meherpur and Jhenaidah districts were purposively selected for comparing two uptake pathways. Ten farm families from each of village for family approach (FA) and 16 lead/ key farmers for traditional method were selected based on group discussion with farmers and extension providers. For both groups, attempts were made to limit the selection to the farmers considering farm size and rice provisioning ability. In FA, three members engaged in farming of which at least one female per family were selected to participate in the training program. In total, forty eight lead farmers (male) under traditional method designed as lead farmer approach (LFA) and ninety family members of FA were invited to participate in the training program. The lead/key farmers and family members received training from extension personnel in presence of researcher on how to use LCC for N management in rice. The DAE field workers in the area were also trained with the farmers during May-June 2003. Before starting the establishment of demonstration, follow up meetings were arranged at all sites. In the meeting, lead farmers of LFA and concerned members of FA were asked to recall different aspects of technology. They were requested to set up demonstration in their fields with LCC-based N versus existing farmer’s N management in T. Aman rice, 2003. The farmers and the family members established demonstrations on LCC-based N along with existing farmers’ N management placing in two sub-plots within a bigger plot. Bund was erected between two sub-plots to check the lateral movements of N. Monitoring was done maintaining close contact with the farmers. Data were collected through structured data sheet prepared by the researchers. Technology validation and adoption were monitored by the field level staff of research and extension team and data were recorded. Data were collected on the several measurable indicators: a) grain yield, b) degree of technology adoption (day interval for LCC reading, amount of N applied, date of N applied following LCC reading and man involved in LCC reading taking) and c) expansion of technology (number of neighboring farmers validated and adopted the technology and area coverage under participating and neighboring farmers). Crop cut was done in the demonstrated fields of farmers under LFA and FA and yield was calculated in presence of participating and neighboring farmers/ family members. In the farmers’ gathering after the harvest of the crop, the participating and neighboring farmers for both methods also reported their yields in local unit.

Source of Information: J Agric Rural Dev 5(1&2), 36-42, June 2007 ISSN 1810-1860

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The degree of adoption of technology was very high with FA, more than 80%. Knowledge sharing with the non-trained farmers was 130 % higher for FA over LFA because the family members under FA had a wider scope of contracting neighboring and other farmers and they did enthusiastically through personal and family contract. Productivity under FA was also higher compared to LFA and the difference was attributed to the deviations occurred in degree of adoption of the technology. The technology adoption was enhanced remarkably by the participation of family members with FA. The findings of the study clearly indicate that there is positive impact of providing training to the farmers through the family approach (FA) on the adoption and dissemination of new technology over the lead farmers approach (LFA). Family approach proved its superiority over the traditional approach in N management by the use of LCC. Therefore, for effective and rapid dissemination of new rice production technology to the farmers, wider scale validation of FA is suggested.

Knowledge Management: Journal