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Optimal Water Use and Price Scenario in Deeptube Well Irrigated Farming 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 Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was undertaken in an area of Bangladesh to assess the optimal allocation of irrigation water for crop production and simulate the alternative water scenario on crop production, resource use, and farm income in DTW irrigation system.A survey of farms and DTW irrigation systems were used to provide data to develop linear programming representative farm models. Model results show that mis allocation of irrigation water on large farms was greater than on small farms. Farm households were also modeled to simulate the impact of alternative water availability and price scenario on crop production, resource use and farm income. Alternative water availability were closely related to crops grown. Water scarcity decreased cropped areas and reduced inputs use and farm income of all types of farms. Small farms were more vulnerable/responsive to water scarcity and changing prices than large farm.The results support the view that the government should maintain a policy that favours private sector investment and operation of DTW irrigation equipment and the extension workers could direct farmers to better allocation.

Keywords: Crop Plan, Optimization, Irrigation and Farming

Location: Shibganj, Bogra, Bangladesh

Start Date: 10-02-1999

End Date: 10-09-2000

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water management

Objectives:

To assess the optimal irrigation water allocation for crop production on small and large farms; and
To simulate the alternative irrigation water availability and price scenario on crop production, resource use, farm income and employment.

Methodology:

A group of farmers (96) from four deep tube wells (DTWs) from four agricultural blocks in Shibganj Upazila of Bogra district were chosen randomly.Farmers access to DTW were listed according to their land holdings to identify farm size. A field survey was conducted from April to June 1999 to collect primary data. To record the information survey schedule was used to interviewing the farmers and tube well owners directly. Linear programming (LP) was used to determine the optimal irrigation water utilization on small and large farms. LP is the simplest form of mathematical technique used at farm to find the profit maximizing combination of activities subject to constraints imposed by fixed resources. The assumed objective is to maximize gross margins for an annual cycle. Gross margins were calculated by deducting the variable costs from the gross return. Labour, bullocks, power tillers and irrigation water hiring for respective periods were treated as separate activities in LP and thus, cost of these activities have not been included in the gross margins of individual crops.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agric Res.29 (3):365-378, September 2004

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Availability of irrigation water and prices at farm level are closely related to the types of crop grown on farms.DTW irrigation system had a positive effect on agricultural productivity, farm income and employment. Irrigation water scarcity and high prices decreases the cropped area and thus reduced input use and income of all types of farms.Therefore, steps should be taken to improve on farm water management practices. In general, policies should be taken to promote water management training to farmers for better understanding of on-farm water management.To ensure a regular water supply to crops.

Knowledge Management: Journal