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The Impact of Traditional Homestead Vegetable Cultivation on the Improvement of Livelihood of Rural Women in Bangladesh

Aysha Akter
PhD student
Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Faculty of Agriculture, SylhetAgricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh; Department ofSocial and Development Sciences, Faculty of Human Ecology, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor.

Nobaya Ahmad
Department of Social and Development Sciences, Faculty of Human Ecology,University Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor.

Thahamina Bagumc
Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh.

Md. Monirul Islam
Department of Plant Pathology and Seed Science, Faculty of Agriculture, SylhetAgricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

Mohammad Mizanur Rahma
Department of Business Administration, Metropolitan University, Sylhet-3100,Bangladesh.

Mohammad Imtiaz Hossain
PhD Student
Department of Management and Marketing, Faculty of Economicsand Management, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The aim of the study was to determine the level of acceptability of traditional homestead vegetable cultivation practices by rural women in the northeastern parts of Bangladesh and its impact on their livelihood. A structured interview schedule was applied to collect data. Data were collected from 100 women from two villages of South Surma Upazila in the Sylhet district and correlation tests were conducted to examine the relationship between the relevant dependent and independent variables. The results showed that 68% of rural women had a moderately favourable opinion of vegetable cultivation regarding changes in the livelihood of rural women, while 20% had low opinion and 12% had high opinion of traditional homestead vegetable practices. The majority (59%) of the women had moderately adopted traditional homestead vegetable cultivation practices compared to 24% who had adopted them little and 17% who had adopted them highly. Computed (r) values indicate that education, homestead area, family income, knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation, availability of credit, and exposure of the rural women to communication had a significantly positive relationship to their attitudes to changes in livelihood.

Keywords: Rural women’s opinion, Livelihood improvement, Homestead vegetable cultivation

Location: South Surma Upazila under Sylhet district of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Vegetables, Homestead Agroforestry

Objectives:

Considering this context, the present study was, therefore, conducted with the following specific objectives. 1. To determine the role of rural women in homestead vegetable cultivation practices on livelihood improvement in a selected area of the Northern East of Bangladesh. 2. To explore the correlation between the selected characteristics of the rural women and their attitude and adoption towards homestead vegetable cultivation for livelihood improvement. 3. To know the existing problems and their probable solution of traditional homestead vegetable cultivation by the women.

Methodology:

Location, population and sample: Two villages; namely Kunarchor and Noikhai of Muglabajar union of South Surma Upazila under Sylhet district of Bangladesh constituted the population for the study. The main purpose of selecting two villages was, In these villages, most of the household women had an empty land around their houses and most of them are involved in cultivation practices as well as the production rate of vegetables is more than the other villages of the Upazila, Source (Upazila Agriculture officer).The total population of the study area was 137. About 135 questionnaires were distributed to the women in two villages. Among them 102 questionnaires were received incomplete form and 28 questionnaires were received in incomplete form and the rest of 5 questionnaires has no responses from the village's women. At last, A representative sample of 100 housewives (According to sample size determination Using Krejcie and Morgan table) was the sample size of the present study. South Surma Upazila is not very far from Sylhet headquarters but the Upazila has all the features of rural Bangladesh. The livelihood of the rural women of this Upazila mainly depends on agriculture-based activities as well as the women have easy access to the market for their product. This is the reason for selecting this Upazila as the study area. Preparation of questionnaire: A questionnaire was prepared for collecting necessary information from the selected women. Forgiving the final shape, the questionnaire had pre-tested with 20 women. Based on the pre-test results, required corrections, modifications, alternations, and adjustments were made and then finalized the questionnaire accordingly. Period of data collection: Rapport was built with the respondents through an informal discussion regarding the objectives of the interview. The interviewer personally did the data collection through a face-to-face interview. Data was collected from 10 February to 15 July 2018. Variables of the study: Independent variables in the study were age, education, family size, homestead area, credit availability, knowledge of homestead vegetable cultivation, annual income from homestead area, communication exposure, aspiration, fatalism and problem confrontation. The dependent variables were the adoption of traditional homestead vegetable practices and opinions regarding changes in livelihood to the farmers. Measurement of dependent variable: A four-point Likert scale was used for computing the extent of adoption of homestead vegetable cultivation practices. Weight of responses against the applicable ones of the 21 practices was assigned in the following way. A score of 3, 2, 1 and 0 was assigned for high use, medium use, low use and no use respectively. Statistical analysis: The collected data were coded into numerical, compiled, tabulated and analyzed reckon the objectives of the study in mind. In order to categorize and elucidate the data, various statistical measures such as range, mean, percentage, standard deviation and rank were used in describing the selected variables, wherever relevant. To find out the relationships, Pearson’s Product moment correlation coefficient was used in order to explore the relationship between the relevant variables.

Source of Information: Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, Volume 9, Issue 2 (2019): 242-254

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.aessweb.com/journals/5005

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Women have been used to traditional homestead vegetable cultivation practices and systems from time immemorial. The size of the homestead is a factor in the increase of production. Some areas of the homestead were found to be unused that could be used for growing trees and vegetable crops. The selected women thought that the traditional homestead cultivation practices and systems had a significant role in improving socio-economic status and upgrade of the environmental conditions in the area. It can be concluded from the findings that most of the rural women had a moderate attitude to homestead vegetable cultivation for the improvement of their livelihoods. Rice consumption may supply energy, but cereals alone cannot fulfill the requirements of balanced food. Adding vegetables and fruits to the daily diet can develop the nutritional value of supplementary food items since they are the main sources of vitamins and minerals. Although fruits and vegetables serve the same nutritional purpose, vegetables are considerably convenient and inexpensive to grow. If women are provided with deep agricultural knowledge, they can easily utilize improved technology in vegetable production and achieve better harvests. A need-based training programme should be developed and extensively implemented to improve the skill of rural women in different homestead production areas and thereby increase production. Various NGOs are working with the government to enable their patrons and beneficiaries to advance into higher standards of living. Many of them run motivational programs for women. These programs have become a platform for women to ascertain their rights and voice their opinions. Despite the government’s initiatives to increase awareness, ensure political and social rights, and participate in different income-related activities and empowerment my view is that the government should be more sincere, active, and provide proper attention to upsurge the awareness of vulnerable and underprivileged women by totally instigating the initiatives. Cooperation between the government and NGOs can accelerate the improvement of women’s livelihoods. Opportunities are growing for NGOs throughout the developing world to work with governments to improve the quality of lives and help poor women. As women’s attitude was favorable, proper extension strategy may help in boosting homestead vegetable production, which can ensure better nutrition and economic benefits. Hence, homestead vegetable production can play an imperative role in changing social and livelihood issues.

Knowledge Management: Journal