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Managing Fragile Hill Eco-system for Sustainable Agriculture

Anwar Iqbal
Director & Principal Scientist, BARC-IRRI Poverty Mapping Project
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Farmgate, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Production potential of the hills area of Bangladesh is great in respect of field crops, orchards and plantation in the moderate to less steep sloppy lands and fisheries in the water-bodies. Besides, there exists large opportunity for forestry and livestock in the hills, especially for cattle, goat, lamb and poultry, as there is abundance of grazing land and feed during summer with certain scarcity in winter. Perennial and seasonal water-bodies in the flat valley and in the bottom of the hills are suitable for organized fish culture. Hilly areas can be the best place for livestock production. Foothills and flat lands in the hilly region are used for growing different cereals and vegetables.Unfortunately, the yield is low for almost all the crops and is declining day by day because of erosion and land degradation triggered by faulty tillage, planting along the slope and absence of land cover etc. The conservation of the hilly land is important for its vast potential and for sustainable livelihood of the inhabitants. In the present study, an attempt was made to estimate erosion in the hilly region of Bangladesh as it influences all types of land use and productivity. It was observed that, the eroded soil from the hills flows downstream,buries agricultural land and standing crops by coarse materials and gets deposited in the adjoining river channels and hill streams. This turns the fertile agricultural lands unproductive and destroys the flora and fauna of the water-bodies.The process impedes the agricultural activities, hinders navigation and threatens fish production. Present land utilization in the hills can be increased at least by 30% with the expansion of irrigation potential, which is too low at present and by switching over to modem farming; which includes conservation tillage for cropping followed by mulching, contour farming, modified 'Jhum' cultivation(with hedge-rows) etc. Reduced soil erosion with higher yield of crops were found in case of plantation across the slope. Cultivation of maize beyond 20% slope without adequate conservation measures should not be done, as it was observed to accelerate erosion.Strict implementation of the cropping suitable by slope, GMP, keeping land cover all the time and holistic approach in water-shed management including soil conservation would ensure sustainable management of the hill resources and productivity.

Keywords: Fragile hill eco-system, Erosion, Sustainable agriculture,Conservation of hill resource, Hill areas,

Location: Secondary information on the hilly areas of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Land management

Objectives:

1. To identify major issues of the the fragile hill eco-system

2. To assess and quantify depletion of major nutrients in the hills

3. To locate the development opportunities of agriculture in the hills

4. To recommend measures for the sustainable management of hill resources

Methodology:

Based on the available data and expert opinion, critical analysis of the hill situation done as a part of the study.For sustainable resource management and agricultural productivity, the assessment involved ; the hilly areas in totality and conclusion drawn in the form of recommendation in order to manage the hill ecosystem for the years to come. Hill soils are excessively drained, acidic in reaction, low in moisture holding capacity with varying texture ; from sandy loam to clay. Erosion and land slide are the major problems in the hill.The slope and the slope lengths are two important parameters of erosion. Rainfall primarily determines the cropping, as the presence of ground water is at higher depth and rock, shales and sandstones obstructs extraction. Surface water situation in the hills in general, is not favourable as well. Soil erosivity in the sloppy land is a function of rainfall, land cover, soil properties, degree of slope and slope length. This phenomenon occurs in the hilly areas with 30% or steeper slope during heavy rainfalls. Challenges for agriculture in the hilly areas are to generate demand driven research information and transfer those through efficient extension service for wider adoption. To alleviate productivity and conserve the diminishing resources, technology has to be eco-friendly and close to the socioeconomic and cultural settings of the hilly people. Minimum tillage (by dibbling) with mulch cover is suitable for sustainable cropping in the hill slopes. To reduce soil erosion, maintain fertility and maximize yield of crops planting across the slope to be practiced rather than along the slope; which is common. Maximum surface runoff, sediment transport and nutrient loss occurs due to absence land cover and higher precipitation. To overcome the problem, slope length should be minimized as far as practicable and surface cover should be ensured, especially during rainy season.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Quarterly, Vol. 23 No. 4 Summer - June 2003, Ministry of Information, GoB, Dhaka-1000

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The development potentials of the hilly area is enormous. Present land area under cultivation in the hilly areas can be increased at least by 30% by switching over to modem farming with the expansion of irrigation. Due to abuse of the hilly land, i.e. unscientific land use, excessive logging, injudicious cultivation at higher slope and ill management etc. the productivity is low and the finite resources are declining and degrading at a rapid speed. Improved way of 'Jhum' cropping with hedge-rows (vegetative barrier) of leguminous shrub (T.candida Bogamedula) at I meter vertical interval could retain 60-75% of the topsoil. To reduce soil erosion, maintain fertility and maximize yield of crops planting across the slope to be practiced rather than along the slope. Cultivation of maize beyond 20% slope without adequate conservation measure should be avoided, as it was accelerates soil erosion and land slide resulting deposition of coarse sand, siltation of water bodies and flash flood. As the hilly land management is distinctly different from others, strict promulgation of the sloppy land use policy is the need of the time.

Knowledge Management: Journal