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Sustainability Analysis of Ecological and Conventional Agricultural Systems in Bangladesh

GOLAM RASUL
Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani, Thailand

GOPAL B. THAPA *
Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani, Thailand

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This paper examines the sustainability of conventional and ecological agricultural systems based on their environmental soundness, economic viability and social acceptability. Significant differences were found in crop diversification, soil fertility management, pests and diseases management, and use of agrochemicals. No remarkable variations were found in land-use pattern, crop yield and stability, financial and economic returns, risk and uncertainties, or food security. The findings suggest that ecological agriculture is relatively more sustainable, and it could be an economically and environmentally viable alternative to the conventional agricultural system. Ecological agriculture could become an alternative if market distortions created by subsidies were removed, and financial benefits were provided to resource-conserving farmers along with necessary support through extension, credit, research, and marketing.

Keywords: Sustainable agriculture, Ecological agriculture, Conventional agriculture, Bangladesh

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Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

In this study, was attempts to examine to what extent the ecological agriculture being promoted by UBINIG differs with the conventional agriculture in terms of agricultural practices and resource management and compares the two agricultural systems from environmental, economic and social perspectives.

Methodology:

This paper mainly discussed on the following headings- 2. Framework for assessing the agricultural sustainability, 3. Study area and data collection and analysis methods, 4. Results and discussion, 5. Conclusions and policy implications

Source of Information: World Development Vol. 31, No. 10, pp. 1721–1741, 2003

Article Link (Online Journal): https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Golam_Rasul3/publication/4772141_Sustainability_Analysis_of_Ecological_and_Conventional_Agricultural_Systems_in_Bangladesh/links/02e7e525439963bccf000000.pdf

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Achievement/Findings:

Sustainable agriculture, indeed, demands intimate knowledge and information about crop, soil, pest, insects, market, price and environment. Dissemination of knowledge and other information through existing government extension agencies does not seem to be efficient and effective, because of lack of motivation and inadequate number of extension staff, arising from a number of factors, including low salary. Over dependency on external agencies including extension department, input dealers, make the extension system unsustainable. Therefore, attempt should be made to build and enhance social capital by organizing farmers in groups, encouraging farmers to farmers extension and sharing information conducive to build cooperation, trust, reciprocity and cohesiveness among farmers, which facilitate social institutions, common rules, norms and sanctions of behavior (Pretty & Ward, 2001). This will ultimately help to share knowledge and experiences, to take common decision to promote sustainable agriculture, such as adoption of IPM, better management of irrigation water, tree plantation and other common benefit providing initiatives, which cannot be undertaken by an individual farmer.

Knowledge Management: Journal