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Adoption of Water Saving Irrigation Techniques for Sustainable Rice Production in Bangladesh

M. R. Rahman*
Institute of Environmental Science, Ecology and Biodiversity Research Laboratory, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

S. H. Bulbul
Institute of Environmental Science, Ecology and Biodiversity Research Laboratory, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study explores socio-economic characters’ which lead farmers to the adoption of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) in the farmers’ field of two major drought-prone areas of Bangladesh for rice cultivation. AWD is an irrigation regime where the producer allows the rice field to dry intermittently during the rice life cycle rather than having the field continuously submerged. In previous studies, AWD has been found to reduce water usage by from 20-70% and to reduce methane emissions by over 50% as compared to rice produced under continuous flooding. In 2012, a survey of 60 farmers was conducted in four rice-producing areas in Bangladesh to investigate farmer implementation of AWD and NF irrigation. Thirty sample farmers from the Capasia union of Gazipur district were selected in the site where the AWD irrigation techniques are being practiced. Similarly, 30 other sample farmers were selected from the same Union of Gazipur district where AWD is not practiced but where continuous irrigation is practiced. Similarly, thirty sample farmers from the Godagary union of Rajshahi district were selected in the site where the AWD irrigation techniques are being practiced and 30 other sample farmers were selected from the same Union Rajshahi district where AWD is not practiced but where continuous irrigation is practiced. The data were collected through direct interviews with the help of a pre-designed questionnaire in 2012. A brief introduction regarding the nature and objectives of the study was given to each respondent before the interview. All the collected qualitative and quantities data were analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study so as to answer the issues involved in the study. As the dependent variables are dichotomous (zero, one), a logit regression model can be applied. The study shows that significant issues were identified that need to be considered generally to improve adoption at the farmers’ level and that would eventually enable mass adoption. The study revealed that farm size, education of household head, and contact with extension agents, water scarcity and dissemination through demonstration were the variables that had a significant impact on the adoption of AWD. So if contact with extension workers could be increased and the farmers could be shown the use of AWD techniques through field demonstration then the adoption rates can be increased.

Keywords: Adoption, Alternate Wetting and Drying (WAID), Irrigation, Boro Rice

Location: Rainonda village of Capasia union of Gazipur district, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water management

Objectives:

In order to achieve a large-scale spread and adoption of AWD, at least in regions where water scarcity poses a threat to sustain and further improve rice cultivation, a number of constraints and issues at national, regional and local levels have to be overcome as suggested by the findings. This paper presents the results of a survey that examined farmer adoption with AWDI and NF irrigation in Bangladesh. Farmer implementation of these water-saving practices is compared for the cases vs. traditional cultivation methods.

Methodology:

2.1. Selection of the Samples and Sampling Technique Thirty sample farmers from the Rainonda village of Capasia union of Gazipur district, Bangladesh were selected in the site where the AWD irrigation techniques are being practiced. Similarly, 30 other sample farmers were selected from the Chorboria of the same Union of Gazipur district, Bangladesh where AWD is not practiced but where continuous irrigation is practiced. Similarly, thirty sample farmers from Chapal Village of Godagary union of Rajshahi district, Bangladesh were selected in the site where the AWD irrigation techniques are being practiced and 30 other sample farmers were selected from the Naraonpur village of Godagry Union Rajshahi district where AWD is not practiced but where continuous irrigation is practiced. 2.2. Data Collection Instruments Keeping in view the expected outcomes of the assessment survey, appropriate data collection instruments were prepared. The interviewed schedule was prepared to collect primary data from the farmers. The schedule was pre-tested and modified accordingly before final use. The interviewed schedule was prepared in such a way that all aspects associated with the objectives could be included. In the pre-test survey, attention was paid to identify any new information, which was not included in the draft schedule. Then some parts of the draft schedule were improved, rearranged and modified in light of the experience gained from the field. Lastly, the final interview schedule was prepared to collect the information. The farming of the questions in interviewed schedule was done in such a way, that they could be easily understood by the informants and their responses could be quicker. Besides, leading questions were avoided; questions pertaining to the private and personal life of the respondents were also not included in the schedule. The questions were properly structured so that even the most reluctant information could have no hesitation in passing the necessary information. The questionnaire included the following items of information needed for the analysis. ? Identification of the sample farmer. ? Farm size and tenure status of sample farmer. ? Use of material inputs for the cultivation of rice. ? Yield, outputs, cost and returns of producing of rice. ? Problems faced by the rice-growing farmers and suggested solution. 2.3. Collection of Data The study is based on a set of field-level primary data. The data were collected through direct interviews with the help of a pre-designed questionnaire in 2012. A brief introduction regarding the nature and objectives of the study was given to each respondent before the interview. The respondents were given assurance that all information would be kept confidential, be used exclusively for research purposes and the study will not affect their interest in any adverse way, rather it might produce some benefits to the general mass in course of time. Before interviewing, the selected respondents were contacted so that they could be interviewed according to their convenient time. Then the questions were asked systematically in a very simple manner with the necessary explanation. After completion of each interview, the interviewed schedule was checked to be sure that information on each of the items had been properly recorded. Any items overlooked or found contradictory were corrected in the second time visit. 2.4. Processing and Analysis of Data After collecting requisite data, they were processed and analyzed with a view to achieving the objectives of the study. The primary data were collected from the rice-growing farmers and then data were processed (edited and coded) and computerized using MS excel. All the collected qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study so as to answer the issues involved in the study. 2.5. Analytical Techniques Both tabular and statistical techniques were used to analyze the collected data. A tabular technique was followed to find out the crude association of differences between variables and outputs. The tabular technique is a well-known and widely used technique to show the result of farm management study because it is simple, convenient and very easy to understand. The data and information so collected were recorded to tabular form which included the classification of tables into meaningful results by some statistical measures like the sum, average, percentage, etc. to show the relationship between /among the selected variables. Tabular analysis was done to address the objectives. 2.6. Logistic Regression Model As the dependent variables are dichotomous (zero, one), a logit regression model can be applied. Logit models are widely applied statistical techniques in which the probability of a dichotomous outcome (for e.g adopter or non-adopter) is related to a set of explanatory variables that are hypothesized to influence the outcome.

Source of Information: Environment and Ecology Research 3(1): 1-8, 2015 http://www.hrpub.org

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.13189/eer.2015.030101

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Based on the results achieved so far at national, regional and local levels, the national relevance of the technology and its applicability for farmers will be assessed, together with the effectiveness of specific dissemination approaches and perspectives for a process of up-scaling and out-scaling. Along with it a view on the future of AWD will be presented as a water-saving technology in irrigated rice production in Bangladesh. The findings outlined in this experiment are a rough approximation of the factors that favor or hinder the adoption of AWD. Nevertheless, significant issues were identified that need to be considered generally to improve adoption at the farmers’ level and that would eventually enable mass adoption. The study revealed that farm size, education of household head, and contact with extension agents, water scarcity and dissemination through demonstration were the variables that had a significant impact on the adoption of AWD. So if contact with extension workers could be increased and/or the farmers could be shown the use of AWD techniques through field demonstration then the adoption rates can be increased. Extension programs that provide general irrigation information and specific information regarding AWD can potentially encourage further adoption of this irrigation technique. As mentioned above the public benefit of adopting water-conserving technologies such as AWD should be emphasized in these extension programs. Water conservation benefits can potentially be realized if local government agencies as well as international agencies (e.g., IRRI), continue to provide education and training about the latest research on AWD and other water-conserving technologies to local extension personnel, field technicians, and as well as farmers.

Knowledge Management: Journal