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Profitability of Sandbar Cropping Method of Pumpkin Cultivation in Char Land Areas of Northern Bangladesh

M. Khatun
Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur-1701

M. A. Rashid
Principal Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur-1701,

M. A. M. Miah
Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur-1701,

S. Khandoker
Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur-1701,

M. T. Islam
Pomology Division, Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was undertaken to find out the profitability and export potentialities of pumpkin cultivation in the char lands of Rangpur and Gaibandha district of Bangladesh. A total of 120 pumpkin growers taking 60 farmers from each district were randomly selected for the study. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze cost and return of pumpkin. The Cobb-Douglass production function was used to estimate the coefficients of the various variables analyzed and MPP, MVP and resource use efficiency were also used to estimate the efficiency of resource use in the study area. The study revealed that net returns were positive for pumpkin cultivation. However, the higher net return was estimated for Rangpur district (Tk 105,299/ha) compared to Gaibandha (Tk.93, 936/ha). Bangladesh had comparative advantage for producing pumpkin as the estimates of domestic resource cost (DRC) was less than one. The value of DRC for pumpkin was less than unity implied that the production of pumpkin would be highly efficient for export promotion. The estimated results of the Cobb- Douglass production function showed increasing returns to scale. The results of the efficiency computation indicated that inputs were underutilized. Farmers in the study area used too little input to cultivate pumpkin that means the cost of using inputs is less than the value of marginal product. This suggests that farmers can incur more cost for these inputs to be efficient and then production will be increased.

Keywords: Char land, Pumpkin, Sandbar cropping method, Profitability, Resource use efficiency.

Location: Rangpur and Gaibandha

Start Date: 00-12-2015

End Date: 00-04-2016

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Pumpkin

Objectives:

The objectives of this study were as follows:
i.   To know the socio-economic and livelihood status of the farmers;
ii.   To assess the   cultivation practices of pumpkin by using sandbar cropping method;
iii.   To estimate the profitability level of pumpkin cultivation by using sandbar cropping method and;
iv.   To determine the resource use efficiency of the inputs used by the farmers.

Methodology:

Sandbar Cropping Technique
The sandbar cropping technique is a pit cultivation approach, adapted to the sandbars of char lands to grow pumpkin, squash and watermelon. Pits are dug in the sandbars and are lined with manure and compost. Jute sacks are used in locations where ground water is very poor. Seeds are placed in the pits and are carefully monitored for the next few months with periodic irrigation and nursing as required. At the end of rainy season in mid-November, when water level in the rivers recedes, sandbars start to emerge in the char lands. These sandbars are brought under cultivation using the sandbar cropping technique.

Sampling Procedure
Two stage sampling procedure was followed to collect sample farmers for this study. At first, two districts Rangpur and Gaibandha were purposively selected from Northern region of Bangladesh on the basis of the availability of such types of farmers. In the second stage, one pumpkin growing upazila from char land of each district was selected on the basis of area and production. Kaunia upazila of Rangpur and Sundorganj upazila of Gaibandha district were selected on the basis of available farmers who cultivate pumpkin on char land using sandbar cropping method. A complete list of pumpkin growers who cultivate in the char lands was collected from PAB officials. The population size of pumpkin growers was 575 in Gaibandha (274 in Sundarganj upazila) and in Rangpur this number was 150 (60 in Kaunia upazila). Finally, a required number of samples were randomly selected from the complete list of pumpkin growing farmers for interview.

Sample Size
The number of sample farmers to be selected is an important question among the researchers. When the population size is known and the researchers are careful of the heterogeneity problem, any number (equal to or) greater than the statistically large sample (of 30 sample units) may be appropriate (Freund and Williams, 1983). However, a total of 120 pumpkin growers taking 60 farmers from each district were selected randomly from the list for the study.

Data Collection
The study was mainly based on primary data collected through face to face interview using a pre-tested interview schedule which was conducted through field survey during the month of December to April, 2016.

Analytical technique
The collected data were first edited and tabulated for analysis to fulfill the objectives of the study. Descriptive statistics such as averages and percentages were used in this study. Production function analysis was used to determine the resource use efficiency of the inputs used by the farmers.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(4): 647-663, December 2017 ISSN 0258-7122 (Print), 2408-8293 (Online)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study revealed that Farmers in the char land were highly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. They were not much educated. Their livelihood status was low but they are now improving their livelihood by cultivating pumpkin on sandbar. Net returns of pumpkin cultivation on sandbar were positive and BCR was also encouraging. However, the highest net return was estimated for Rangpur followed by Gaibandha. The highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) was also for Rangpur followed by Gaibandha. DRC results indicated that Bangladesh had comparative advantage for producing pumpkin as the estimates of domestic resource cost (DRC) was less than one implied that the production of pumpkin would be highly efficient for export promotion. Farmers are produced at increasing returns to scale. Farmers in the study area used too little input to cultivate pumpkin that means the cost of using these inputs is less than the value of marginal product. This suggests that farmers can incur more cost for these inputs to be efficient and can increase pumpkin production. The country has got some natural advantages like fertile soil, favorable climatic condition, and abundant supply of inexpensive labour force. However, Bangladesh seemed to have a high potential for growing pumpkin crop. Pumpkin production could be expanded for export promotion by using more improved technology as the country’s demand. So emphasis should also be given on local production of pumpkin as the export parity is favorable for the country.

Knowledge Management: Journal