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

Productivity of Ecological/organic and Conventional Rice-cropping Systems in Bangladesh

Dr. Zahirul Islam
PSO & Head (Ex.)
Entomology Division Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Gazipur 1701

Dr. Tim Chancellor
Director
NRI, UK

Anisur Rahman
Researcher
Proshika Manobik Unnayan Kendra, Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dr. K.L. Heong
Researcher
Crop and Environment Sciences Division, International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines

Dr. Nur Ahmed
CSO (C.C) & Head
Entomology Division Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Gazipur 1701

M. H. Khan Choudhury
Researcher
Proshika Manobik Unnayan Kendra, Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mosaddeque Hossain
PSO
Entomology Division Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Gazipur 1701

Zakir Hossain
Researcher
Proshika Manobik Unnayan Kendra, Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh

M. Mofazzel Hossain
PSO
Entomology Division Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Gazipur 1701

Sumona Rani Das
Researcher
Proshika Manobik Unnayan Kendra, Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dr. Mohibul Hasan
PSO & Head (Ex.)
Entomology Division Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Gazipur 1701

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Collaborative efforts between Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Proshika Manobik Unnayan Kendra, Natural Resources Institute, and International Rice Research Institute were made to compare productivity of ecological/organic and conventional rice cropping in Bangladesh. The ecological/organic and conventional rice cropping were closely monitored under boro – aman rice systems over five successive rice seasons from 1999 at two sites - Koitta in Manikgonj and at Gabtoli in Bogra districts. Under ecological/organic as well as conventional practices organic manures were used only in the boro season. Cow dung, quick compost and green manuring crops (kheshari and dhaincha) were used in the ecological plots at Koitta and cow dung and oil cakes were used at Gabtoli site. In the conventional plots at Koitta sites, farmers used much older rice seedlings (av. 79 days) in the boro season, transplanted about 16 day later than the ideal time, mostly used nitrogen, seldom used phosphorous, none used potassium fertilizer and manures, but used granular insecticides once as preventive measure. On the other hand, Gabtoli farmers used seedling of ideal age but delayed transplanting, used cow dung and oil cake, more farmers used phosphorous and potassium fertilizers along with nitrogen but at reduced rates and did not use insecticide. In most cases, conventional practices out yielded ecological/organic practices by an average of 425 kg/ha in the boro season and by 710 kg/ha in the aman season. Yield difference between conventional and ecological/organic practices was low mainly due to sub-standard cultural practices adapted by the farmers in respect of seedling age, time of transplanting and balanced use of fertilizers. Great potentials of conventional cropping seem exists in reducing yield gap there by boosting rice production through adoption of appropriate cultural practices. In five out of six seasons conventional farming was more profitable then the ecological/organic rice cropping. Partial cost and return analysis did not support the claim that ecological cropping is more profitable than conventional cropping. In order to maintain food security and improvement of soil health for sustaining higher productivity for future generations a marriage between the two extremes – completely ecological/organic and completely inorganic probably be the best way out.

Keywords: Bangladesh, Rice, Organic/ecological practices, Conventional practices, Yield, Profit, Sustainability

Location: Manikganj and Bogra, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-1999

End Date:

Program Area: Farming System

Non-commodity: Cropping pattern

Objectives:

To compare management practices and productivity of ecological or organic and conventional rice farming systems

Methodology:

The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Proshika Manobik Unnayan Kendra of Bangladesh, Natural Resources Institute (NRI) of United Kingdom and the Philippine based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) worked together under a collaborative project to compare productivity of ecological/organic and conventional rice cropping. The experiment was conducted in boro – aman systems over five successive rice seasons from 1999 at two sites - Koitta in Manikgonj and at Gabtoli in Bogra districts. In both the sites, ecological rice farming had been practiced in some plots since 1993. Ecological farming at Koitta was in practice at Proshika’s experimental farm under their management, and at Gabtoli site by several farmers under the supervision of Proshika field staff. The ecological plots were more or less in a consolidated block at Koitta but scattered at Gabtoli. Four ecological plots and five adjacent conventional farmer’s plots were selected at both the sites. Site staff of Proshika monitored all the cultural practices and crops in both ecological and conventional plots. Participant scientists observed the crop and collected necessary data through field visits at three week intervals. Grain yield was estimated by harvesting 2 square metre areas from five random spots per plot (10 m²/plot). Grain yields were adjusted at 14% moisture content. No agronomic or cultural interventions, other than sampling and data collection, were made for any of the systems. However, Proshika staff was involved in ecological farming at Koitta and provided guidance and supervision to farmers for ecological cropping at Gabtoli sites.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 3(2): 39-49, (2010)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Partial cost and return analysis did not support the claim that ecological cropping is more profitable than conventional cropping. In order to maintain food security and improvement of soil health for sustaining higher productivity for future generations a marriage between the two extremes – completely ecological/organic and completely inorganic probably be the best way out.

Knowledge Management: Journal