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Socio-economic Impact of Cropland Agroforestry: Evidence from Jessore District of Bangladesh

M. Chakraborty
MDS Graduate, Economics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna – 9208, Bangladesh

M.Z. Haider
Professor
Economics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna – 9208, Bangladesh

M.M. Rahaman
MDS Graduate, Economics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna – 9208, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study attempts to explore the socio-economic impact of cropland agroforestry in Bangladesh. We surveyed 84 farmers of two sub-districts named Manirampur and Bagherpara under Jessore district in the southwest region of Bangladesh through using a questionnaire during the period of June to July 2013. It follows a multistage random sampling procedure for selecting respondents. The main objective of the study is to assess the socio-economic impact of Cropland Agroforestry (CAF) on farmers’ livelihood. The survey results reveal that CAF farmers’ socio-economic status is better than that of Non-Cropland Agroforestry (NCAF) or monoculture farmers. This study finds that housing patterns, levels of education, land and other physical assets are significantly different between CAF and NCAF farmers. The mean annual household income of the surveyed CAF farmers is Tk. 0.19 million which is significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the surveyed NCAF farmers. Household income also varies widely according to farm size and the number of members in a household. The Weighted Mean Index (WMI) of five major indicators of farmer’s household livelihood situation reveals that CAF farmer’s household energy and food situation, affordability of education, medical and clothing expenditure is better than NCAF farmers. This study finds a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between CAF and NCAF farmers in the case of these five major indicators. Therefore, this study suggests for the planned expansion of cropland agroforestry for the overall socio-economic development of the farmers.

Keywords: Agroforestry, Cropland, Livelihood, Socio-economic condition, Farmer

Location: Sub-districts named Manirampur and Bagherpara under Jessore district in the south-west region of Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-06-2013

End Date: 00-07-2013

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Agroforestry

Objectives:

This study is conducted in Jessore district of Bangladesh to know the socio-economic impact of CAF on farmers’ livelihood.

Methodology:

2.1.Study Area: The study is conducted in the Jessore district of the southwest region of Bangladesh. It lies between latitudes 230 10′12″N to 230 17′0″N and longitudes 890 12′0″E to 890 20′0″E. The study area covers a total of 2,567 km² with a population of 2.74 million. The mean family size is four with the sex ratio (male/female) of 1:0.94. Two persons per household are economically employed on an average in the study area. Agriculture is the main occupation for most inhabitants of the district. Rice, jute, pulse, oilseed, wheat, sugarcane and vegetables are the important agricultural crops of the district. Agriculture plays an important role in rural livelihoods for both income and consumption of the people living in the area. The study area enjoys a tropical monsoon climate with the lowest rainfall in Bangladesh. The monsoon usually starts in May and ends in late September. The annual rainfall within the tract varies from 1,400-1,800 mm. and the average daily temperature ranges from 12°C during December-January to about 31°C during May-August [7]. Four main seasons namely the dry or winter season (December to February), the pre-monsoon hot season (March-May), the monsoon or rainy season (June-September) and the post-monsoon or autumn season (October -November) are recognized in the study area. The area is situated in the high Ganges river floodplain which is predominantly highland and medium highland. General soil types include calcareous dark grey floodplain soils and calcareous brown floodplain soils. Soil pH ranges from 7.0 to 8.5. The highlands are flood-free, but other areas are shallow to deeply flooded during monsoon.

Source of Information: International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry; Volume 2, Issue 1, January 2015, PP 11-20 ISSN 2394-5907 (Print) & ISSN 2394-5915 (Online)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The introduction of CAF in crop fields brings a significant change in the agricultural farming systems among farming communities in Jessore district and affects farming households. In most cases, CAF has been developed in high lying crop fields, fallow lands and in some cases low lying rice fields. CAF allows the growth of multiple crops simultaneously and provides several livelihood benefits to farming households. So, it is an integrated production system, which is found to be an important source of food, fuelwood and direct cash income for the households. When income increases, a farmer’s living condition also improves. The authors find that CAF has a significant impact on the farmers’ livelihoods. Moreover, it is also found from the literature that CAF has a significant impact on poverty reduction because of its multipurpose uses. In addition, the findings of this paper act as guidance for policymakers to design the necessary support measures to increase farm income as well as the livelihood in the study area. Therefore, it suggests for the planned expansion of cropland agroforestry for the overall socio-economic development of the farmers.

Knowledge Management: Journal