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Integrated Farming and Its Impact on Farmers’ Livelihood in Bangladesh

M. T. Uddin
Professor
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. A. Khan
Associate Professor
Department of Agricultural Finance, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

M. M. Islam
Lecturer
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted to identify the present status of integrated farming and its impacts on farmers’ livelihood in comparison to mixed farming. Following two stages sampling procedure, a total of 420 farmers (210 for integrated farming and 210 for mixed farming) were selected from seven study areas of six districts on the basis of having intervention from different NARS institutes and without having any intervention from any organization. Descriptive statistics like sum, average, percentage, etc. were derived and calculated for analyzing the socioeconomic data. Propensity score matching (PSM) were applied with Kernel matching and Radius matching methods to evaluate the impact of integrated farming on farmers’ employment creation and income generation. The highest employment duration for male was 152.5 man-days/year for the farming system C-L-P-F-H under integrated farms and for mixed farms, it was 104.5 man-days/year. The average total income of the integrated farms was Tk. 124839 and for mixed farms, it was Tk. 99641. Average calorie intake of food secure households was 2927.83 kcal and 2839.14 kcal for integrated farming and mixed farming which is higher than the national average calorie intake (i.e., 2122 kcal). To assess the livelihood pattern through asset pentagon approach, noteworthy improvement was found based on different capitals of farm households practicing integrated farming in comparison to mixed farming. Finally, based on different problems, a constraint facing index was calculated in order to suggest policy recommendations.

Keywords: Employment, Income,Integrated farming, Livelihood, Mixed farming, Poverty

Location: Farming system research (FSR) sites of four institutions of Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-01-2013

End Date: 00-12-2013

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Social status

Objectives:

(i) To identify the present status of integrated farming in relation to mixed farming.

(ii) To assess the impacts of integrated farming on farmers’ employment creation, income generation, poverty reduction and livelihood patterns in comparison to mixed farming.

(iii) To suggest policy options for overcoming constraints and exploring possible opportunities.

Methodology:

The present study was conducted at farming system research (FSR) sites of four institutions of Bangladesh. Altogether 420 sample farmers were interviewed for the study. Firstly, 210 farmers practicing integrated farming under different institutions from seven selected FSR sites (i.e., 30 farmers from each site) and secondly, 210 farmers practicing mixed farming from the village after the next one of each FSR site (i.e., 30 farmers from each village) were selected for data and information. All possible efforts were made to ensure the collection of reasonably accurate data from the selected farmers through face-to-face interview on recall basis. Moreover, focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted in every selected location. The primary data for one year farming operations (January-December 2013, which covered three rice crop seasons namely, Aus, Aman and Boro as well as other farm enterprises such as, livestock rearing, poultry rearing, fish culture and homestead enterprise) along with non-farm activities were collected. Secondary information sources in the form of handouts, reports, publications, notifications, etc. having relevance with this study were also consulted. A combination of descriptive statistics, mathematical and statistical techniques was used to achieve the objectives. Descriptive statistics like sum, average, percentage and ratio were calculated to examine the socioeconomic characteristics of the sample farmers.To evaluate the impact of integrated farming on farmers’ employment creation and income generation, techniques of propensity score matching (PSM) were applied with Kernel and Radius matching methods.

Source of Information: SAARC J. Agri., 13(2): 61-79 (2015), ISSN: 1682-8348

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sja.v13i2.26569

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study reveals that crop–livestock–poultry–homestead farming system was the most popular in both integrated and mixed farming systems. The study also concludes that integrated farming has the potential of increasing farmers’ income and employment creation over the mixed and traditional farming practices in the study areas. The study also reveals that the extent of food security situation was much better among the integrated farm households than the mixed farm households. Poverty was decreased in case of integrated farming compared to mixed farming. Worth mentioning improvements were found based on different capitals (namely, human capital, social capital, natural capital, physical capital and financial capital) of farm households practicing integrated farming in comparison to mixed farming. Considering the findings of the study, some important policy recommendations have been arisen which are: special incentives from Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) on irrigation and fertilizer for small and marginal farmers are necessary to enhance the productivity and profitability. Department of Fisheries (DoF) should monitor seed and feed company/hatchery to ensure good quality fingerlings; and veterinary services for dairy cattle and poultry birds should be ensured by Department of Livestock Services (DLS) timely at village level. Training program on production technologies, harvesting, processing, storage and transportation should be offered by different institutes for increasing skill of the farmers so that they can obtain and apply knowledge for field crops, livestock production and fish culture as well.

Knowledge Management: Journal