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Sustainability of Ecological and Conventional Agricultural Systems in Bangladesh: an Assessment Based on Environmental, Economic and Social Perspectives

Golam Rasul*,
Rural and Regional Development Planning, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, PO Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand

Gopal B. Thapa
Rural and Regional Development Planning, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, PO Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The sustainability of conventional agriculture in Bangladesh is under threat from the continuous degradation of land and water resources, and from declining yields due to indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals. An NGO is pursuing efforts to promote ecological agriculture with emphasis on better use of on-farm resources and the reduction of external inputs. This paper examines the sustainability of two production systems in terms of their environmental soundness, economic viability and social acceptability based on empirical data collected through a household survey, soil sample analysis, observations and discussions with key informants. Twelve indicators were selected to evaluate sustainability. Significant differences were found between the two systems in crop diversification, soil fertility management, pests and diseases management, and use of agro-chemicals. However, no significant variations were found in other indicators such as land-use pattern, crop yield and stability, risk and uncertainties, and food security. Although crop yield and financial return were found to be slightly higher in the conventional system, the economic return and value addition per unit of land did not show any difference. The findings suggest that ecological agriculture has a tendency towards becoming ecologically, economically and socially more sound than conventional agriculture, as it requires considerably less agro-chemicals, adds more organic matter to the soil, provides balanced food, and requires higher local inputs without markedly compromising output and financial benefits. Broad-policy measures, including the creation of mass awareness of adverse health effects of agrochemical-based products, are outlined for the promotion of ecological agriculture.

Keywords: Ecological agriculture; Conventional agriculture; Environmental sustainability; Economic viability; Social acceptability; Bangladesh

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

An attempt was made to assess whether such agriculture is showing symptoms of sustainability according to the three criteria mentioned above, by comparing it with conventional agriculture.

Methodology:

This review paper discussed details on- 1. Introduction, 2. Sustainable agriculture: a conceptual framework, 3. Research design, 4. Results and discussion and 5. Conclusions.

Source of Information: Agricultural Systems 79 (2004) 327–351

Article Link (Online Journal): http://data2.xjlas.ac.cn:81/UploadFiles/sdz/cnki/%E5%A4%96%E6%96%87/ELSEVIER/ecological%20agriculture/11.pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The findings of this study reveal that even after 12 years of the implementation of the ecological agriculture promotion program, this type of agriculture differs little from conventional agriculture, particularly in terms of land-use patterns, crop yields, stability of yields, risk and uncertainties, and food security. It should be noted that, although so far crop yield and stability in the conventional system have been maintained on a par with the ecological system by applying ever-increasing amounts of chemical fertilizers, farmers have experienced declining yields over successive years. Farmers mentioned that crop yields would decrease substantially, thereby jeopardizing their food supply, if the amount of fertilizers is not increased. This is an indication of a trend towards unsustainability. Most consumers in Bangladesh are still not much concerned about the health effects of agro-chemicals-based products. Ecological agriculture will probably be economically attractive in the future, if increasingly health-concerned urban people will be ready to pay higher prices for produce free of chemical fertilizers and toxic insecticides. Regarding cropping patterns, there is no significant variation in terms of area under different types of crops, as the major percentage of landholdings are still being cultivated with paddy in both conventional and ecological farming systems. Significant variation was found if varieties of crops cultivated are taken into consideration. Because of the promotional efforts made by the project, the ecological system is considerably more diversified than the conventional system, which is a step forward towards sustainable agricultural systems. Significant variation between the conventional and ecological systems is reflected in the use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides, which are the primary causes of land, water and atmospheric pollution, as well as degradation of food quality. The most remarkable achievement made by the project in the ecological farming system is that so few farmers are applying chemical insecticides to crops. Using their indigenous knowledge, most farmers are controlling insects through the use of herbal insecticides and other measures, including traps. These practices have contributed to making the ecological system environmentally more sustainable than the conventional system. Moreover, the ecological system is considerably less dependent on external inputs than the conventional system.

Knowledge Management: Journal