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Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects

Aurup Ratan Dhar*
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Md. Monirul Islam
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Jasim Uddin Ahmed
Department of Agricultural Economics and Policy, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The research was conducted to evaluate the problems and prospects of adopting conservation agriculture in Jamalpur and Bogra districts of Bangladesh. A total of 120 farmers (20 from focal and 100 from control group) were surveyed for collecting necessary data and information. A combination of descriptive statistics and mathematical techniques was used to analyze the data. Focal farmers followed the basic principles of conservation agriculture but control farmers continued conventional crop farming practices. Focal farmers were more profitable compared to control farmers in terms of wheat and bean production. Less production due to minimum tillage, difficulties in maintenance, lack of extension service etc. were the major problems faced by the farmers. Knowledge on soil conservation and soil quality improvement, use of organic fertilizer, etc. were found as strengths; management of crop residue, scarcity of cowdung, etc. were found as weaknesses; labor opportunities, market demand, etc. were found as opportunities; and climate change and price fluctuation were found as threats of adopting conservation agriculture. Regular extension contact, arrangement of training programmes and input support are to be ensured by different government and non-government organizations to motivate farmers for adopting conservation agriculture practice.

Keywords: Adoption, Conservation, Agriculture, Problems, Prospects

Location: Jamalpur and Bogra districts of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Evaluation

Objectives:

The specific objectives of the study are: i) to estimate the profitability of crop farming following conservation agriculture practice; ii) to identify the problems regarding adoption of conservation agriculture; and iii) to scrutinize the prospects of adopting conservation agriculture in Bangladesh.

Methodology:

2.1. Study Areas and Sample Size: The study was conducted in two districts of Bangladesh which were: Jamalpur (major crop: wheat) and Bogra (major crop: bean). Two categories of farmers were targeted for investigation namely, focal farmers (farmers practicing conservation agriculture only) and control farmers (farmers practicing traditional agriculture only). In each locale of the study, a total of 60 farmers (10 focal and 50 control) were selected; of which focal farmers were selected purposively and control farmers were selected randomly. Thus, a total of 120 farmers were included as the sample for observation and data collection. Primary data were collected through questionnaire survey, focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interview (KII) with local stakeholders. Secondary sources of data in the form of handouts, reports, publications, notifications, etc. having relevance with this study were also consulted. 2.2. Analytical Techniques A combination of descriptive statistics (i.e., sum, averages, percentages, etc.) and mathematical techniques (problem confrontation index) was used to achieve the objective of the study. Problems of adopting conservation agriculture practice were analyzed with problem confrontation index (PCI). An overall score of the problems faced by the focal and control farmers were computed for each farmer by adding their scores of the problems in all 13 selected problems. Each farmer was asked to indicate the extent of difficulty caused by each of the problems by checking any of the four responses such as ‘frequently, ‘occasionally, ‘rarely and ‘not at all’, and weights were assigned to these responses as 3, 2, 1 and 0, respectively. A problem confrontation index (PCI) for each 13 selected problems was computed by using the. SWOT analysis was done to identify the problems and potentials of conservation agriculture practice. A SWOT analysis guides to identify the positives and negatives inside of the organization (S-W) and outside of it in the external environment (O-T). Finally, suggestions and recommendations were provided with by the author in the form of recommendation matrix for expanding conservation agriculture that will be synchronized for policy options.

Source of Information: World Journal of Agricultural Research, 2017, Vol. 5, No. 5, 265-272 Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/wjar/5/5/3

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI:10.12691/wjar-5-5-3

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Findings of the research and the logical interpretation of their meaning in the light of other relevant facts enabled the researcher to draw some conclusions. Adoption of conservation agriculture practice in the study areas had a colossal impact on farmers’ crop profitability. If focal farmers would continue following the principles of this practice, they would be more profitable in terms of crop production compared to control farmers. The study further identified a number of constraints, and internal and external prospects of adopting conservation agriculture in the study areas. Keeping different internal and external factors in contrast, a set of policy actions is suggested by the researcher for the development of practicing conservation agriculture in the context of Bangladesh which is presented in the form of recommendation matrix.

Knowledge Management: Journal