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

Improvement of Livelihood, Food and Nutrition Security Through Homestead Vegetables Production and Fruit Tree Management in Bangladesh

Mr. M. R. Shaheb
On-Farm Research Division Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The objectives of the study were to utilize homestead resources in scientific method for producing fresh vegetables and fruits over space and time and to meet up the food and nutritional security of the farmers. Household survey was carried out to ascertain livelihoods information of the selected farm households before intervention. The trial was conducted at six replications by the participatory approaches following vegetables production “Golapgonj Model”. Results revealed that a family consisting five members having small homestead area with some fruit trees could be capable of harnessing sufficient and diversified vegetables and fruit round the year by utilizing the all possible homestead nieces and management of fruit trees. Results also suggested that the farmers consumed lion share of their products that could meet up nutrition from various vegetables and fruits, some of them distributed a portion to relatives and neighbors and also sold a portion of them. The additional income generated by selling of surplus vegetables and fruits was generally utilized to purchase supplementary food items, in turn increase the diversification of the family’s diet. Interestingly, active participation of family members (especially women and children) in their homestead vegetable production activities was also ensured. Thus, all these might be lead to full utilization of both physical & other farm resource available in the farm & mobilize resources that increased food & nutritional security, income as well as improved their livelihoods as well.

Keywords: Vegetables production, Food, Productivity, Income diversification, Livelihood

Location: Moulvibazar

Start Date: 00-00-2010

End Date: 00-00-2012

Program Area: Farming System

Non-commodity: Income generation

Objectives:

To utilize homestead resources in scientific way for producing fresh vegetables and fruits over space and time
To meet up the food security and nutritional requirements of the farmer’s family & their livelihood improvement
To create employment particularly for women and children.

Methodology:

The study carried out at farmers’ homestead in Moulvibazar, Bangladesh during the year 2010-12. The experiment was conducted at six farmers’ homesteads which were randomly selected among the farmers of Kodupur Integrated Crop Management club with the help of Department of Agricultural Extension, Moulvibazar. Before intervention, a household survey was carried out among the 50 farm households and detail information in respect of livelihoods of farmers maintained by the households was collected. All of the farmers had some fruit trees like jack fruits, litchi, mango, lemon etc. Some of them were used to produce vegetables partially with poor management others were not involved in producing vegetables. All of them were not taken care of their fruit trees and were totally dependent on nature. The co-operative farmers (both male and female including their children) were given orientation on the programme activities prior to intervention. The trial was conducted with participatory approaches with farmers under the researchers’ active supervision during the project period. The five years weather data are also described . The nutrient contribution from vegetables and fruits per capita per day was calculated by converting the total edible yield into standard units. Means, averages and percentages were used for interpretation of the data by using MS Excel software.

Source of Information: J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 12(2): 377–387, 2014 ISSN 1810-3030

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results of the study highlighted the importance of utilization of homestead by year round vegetable production and management of quick growing fruit tress in Bangladesh for small to medium farm holders. The “Golapgonj model” for homestead vegetable production was developed on the traditional practices, local conditions and cultural context and intervention of this could be a sustainable means to improve micronutrient intakes of high-risk groups and could improve household food & nutrition security. Homestead vegetable production and management of fruit trees programmes can be implemented successfully and cost-effectively on a national-scale using a collaborative model that fits local conditions. The findings of the study would definitely help the scientists, extension personnel, policy makers etc. to formulate livelihood improvement, food and nutrition security related sustainable agricultural programme at farm level improved their livelihoods as well.

Knowledge Management: Journal