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Farm Resource Optimization and Cropping Plan for Farmers in Deep Tubewell Iriigated Area in Bangladesh

F I M Golam Wahed Sarker
Senior Scientific Officer
Irrigation and Water Management Division, BRRI, Gazipur

John Lingard
Professor
Department of Agricultural Economics and Food Marketing, University of New Castle upon Tyne, UK

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Farm resources among different farm sizes are limited in relation to their demand. Moreover, mis allocation of resources reduces farm income and employment. It is felt that under existing technology, sufficient potentials exists for improving agricultural production and augment farm returns with proper reallocation of existing resources. Optimum combination of crop enterprises would help efficient use of land and other resources, and thereby increase the farm income.Therefore, an attempt was undertaken to assess the impact of minor irrigation (DTW) on different farm sizes and to determine the optimal allocation of resources among different crops in DTW irrigation system. A survey of farms was used to provide data to develop linear programming representative farm models. The analysis took into account crop activities, inputs use, farm sizes and soil types. Optimal plans increased farm income by 24% and 7% for large and small farms, respectively, which indicates mis allocation of existing resources and there is considerable scope for increasing farm income by reallocation of existing resources. The analysis suggests that by reallocating existing resources, large farms could increase farm income and employment more significantly than small farms.The research supports the view that the government should maintain a policy that favour private sector investment and operation of DTW irrigation equipment and the extension workers should direct farmers to better allocate their resources.

Keywords: Farm Resource, Cropping Plan and DTW Irrigation

Location: Shibganj, Bogra, Bangladesh

Start Date: 01-03-1999

End Date: 15-11-2000

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Analysis and interpretations

Objectives:

To determine the effects of deep tube well (DTW) irrigation on farm sizes, cropping patterns, crop productivity, farm income and employment;
To develop optimal cropping plans considering available farm resources; and
To suggest policy guide lines for planners, extension workers and farmers regarding the optimal crop plans based on available farm resources.

Methodology:

A sample of 96 farmers (24 farmers from each DTW) were selected from four DTWs located in four agricultural blocks (Mahasthangar, Chandihara, Biha and Kichack) in Shibganj Upazila of Bogra district. A structured survey questionnaire was used to interviewing the farmers and tube well owners from April to June 1999. The questionnaire had sections for obtaining general information on the farm and data on the costs and returns of different crops grown in each season and information relating investment and operating capital requirements and technical aspects of the irrigation system. A linear programming (LP) model was used to determine the optimal cropping plan for small and large farms.The assumed objective function (Z) was to maximize total farm returns (gross margin) for an annual cycle. Gross margins were calculated by deducting the variable production costs from the gross return. As labour, bullocks, power tillers and irrigation water hiring for the specific periods were treated as separate activities in the LP models, costs of these activities were no included in the gross margins of individual crop.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Rice J. 1(1&2): 1-11, 2001

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The optimal plans increased the cropped areas (2%) and thus increased the cropping intensities (2,5%). Cereal based cropping patterns maintained a dominance both in existing and optimal plans.The optimal plans revealed considerable scope for transfer of land from low valued crops to high valued cash crops in high land.Total employment of labour increased 16% and 6% in large and small farms, respectively. The optimal plans used 34,214 m³ and 6,723 m³ of irrigation water for large and small farms, respectively.The respective MVPs of irrigation water were Tk 0.61 and Tk 0.54, which were grater than the the prevailing market price for irrigation water. Regarding capital, the plans indicated that MVPs of capital were Tk 0.27 and 0.13 for large and small farms, respectively, which indicates need to provide credit facilities to introduce irrigation and high valued cash crops as well as for optimal utilization of farm resources. Finally, optimal plans increased farm income by 24% and 7% for large and small farms, respectively. This showed that there is a mis allocation of existing resources for both types of farms and considerable scope for increasing farm income by reallocation of existing resources.

Knowledge Management: Journal