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

Practices of Conservation Agricultural Technologies in Diverse Cropping Systems in Bangladesh

M. Akteruzzaman
Professor
Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Hasneen Jahanue
Associate Professor
Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Md. Enamul Haque
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator, Conservation Agriculture Project, ACIAR South Asia, iDE Bangladesh, Dhaka

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

High Yielding Varieties (HYV) along with chemical fertilizer, pesticides and irrigation had introduced in Bangladesh in the name of “Green Revolution” to feed the huge population of the country. This results degradation in soil health and reduce productivity in the long run. In this context, conservation agriculture (CA) is becoming increasingly important in overcoming the problems of declining agricultural productivity. This paper investigates the benefits and impacts of CA practiced by the farmers in Bangladesh. The study covered a range of soils and cropping systems for the evaluation of CA in Rajshahi; Mymensingh; Rajbari, and Thakurgaon districts. Data and information were gathered through focus group discussion (FGD), household survey, and case studies. A total of 458 households were interviewed considering the level of adoption of CA from different cropping systems. The results show that most of the farmers under Mymensingh and Thakurgaon districts don’t have any knowledge in sowing/transplanting by machineries whereas farmers in Rajbari and Rajshahi districts have comparatively better knowledge on this. Overall 76.45% respondents know the benefits of using organic matter in soil. For tillage operation, draft power use is higher than other machineries in all cropping seasons. The retention of crop residues was found higher in Boro rice compared to Aman and Aus rice and other crops. A few farm households had a little knowledge on how to improve soil health through retention of crop residues. Only 39.30% respondents practiced crop rotations, and 30% respondents practiced mixed cropping, and most of them experienced increased production. The major constraints of adoption of CA mentioned by the respondents are low production, more weeds, low animal feed, lower cooking fuel and bothering job. Providing adequate knowledge and training of CA should be provided to the farmers for sustainable agricultural productivity.

Keywords: Conservation agricultural technology, Cropping system

Location: Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Rajbari, and Thakurgaon

Start Date: 00-10-2012

End Date: 00-12-2012

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Rice

Objectives:

To investigate the present status of CA practiced by the farmers in Bangladesh

Methodology:

To get a complete picture of the conservation agriculture that is practicing in Bangladesh, the study covered a range of soils and cropping systems in Bangladesh. Therefore, four different regions namely Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Rajbari, and Thakurgaon districts which are different in soils and cropping systems were purposively selected for the present study. Data and information were gathered through focus group discussion (FGD), household survey, and case studies. Each focus group was consisted of different sections of people such as Sub-Assistant Agricultural Officer (SAAO), 2 wheel power tillers, machineries and spare parts sellers, owners, operators, and few conscious local community people. On the other hand, quantitative and qualitative data and information were gathered from the randomly selected users and service providers of machineries through conducting household survey using pre-tested interview schedules, some suitable case studies of successful service providers were also conducted to supplement the study. A multistage sample technique was applied to gather the required data and information. Firstly, districts (Thakugaon, Rajshahi, Rajbari and Mymensingh) were selected purposively considering different soil types and cropping systems. Secondly, the households were selected through FGD considering the level of adoption of CA such as cultivation by minimum tillage, retention of crop residues and crop rotations. Thirdly,the households were categorized by cropping systems, mostly rice based (rice-pulses or rice-oilseed) cropping systems. Finally, the former CA research sites and new research sites were categorized for a better understanding of CA techniques used such as cultivation by minimum tillage, retention of crop residues and crop rotations. Thus, a total of 458 farms were selected followed by a field reconnaissance and key informants interview with different stakeholders for baseline survey. To ensure the quality of information, the interview schedule was checked to ensure that information to each of the items had been correctly recorded. Data were collected during October to December 2012. All the collected data were processed and analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agric. Econs. XXXV, 1&2(2012) 143?153

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results show that most of the farmers under Mymensingh and Thakurgaon districts don’t have any knowledge in sowing/transplanting by machineries whereas farmers in Rajbari and Rajshahi districts have comparatively better knowledge on this. Overall 76.45% respondents know the benefits of using organic matter in soil. For tillage operation, draft power use is higher than other machineries in all cropping seasons. The retention of crop residues was found higher in Boro rice compared to Aman and Aus rice and other crops. A few farm households had a little knowledge on how to improve soil health through retention of crop residues. Only 39.30% respondents practiced crop rotations, and 30% respondents practiced mixed cropping, and most of them experienced increased production. The major constraints of adoption of CA mentioned by the respondents are low production, more weeds, low animal feed, lower cooking fuel and bothering job. Providing adequate knowledge and training of CA should be provided to the farmers for sustainable agricultural productivity.

Knowledge Management: Journal