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Constraints Faced by the Small-scale Farmers in Achieving Household Food Security: a Case from Dinajpur District, Bangladesh

Susmita Sarmin
Department of Agricultural Extension, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur

Md. Faruq Hasan
Department of Agricultural Extension, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The main objective of the study was to determine the extent of constraints faced by the small-scale farmers in achieving household food security and their suggested solutions to overcome the constraints. The small-scale farmers of Mongolpur and Ranipukur union of Birol upazila under Dinajpur district were the respondents of the study. Data were collected by using a pre-tested structured interview schedule with a randomly selected sample of 125 farmers from a population of 1250 small-scale farmers. Personal interviewing was conducted during 15 September to 20 October 2019. Eighteen major constraints as faced by the small-scale farmers in achieving household food security were identified in the study. A four-point rating scale was used to measure the extent of constraints, and based on the scale score, the farmers were categorized. Moreover, Constraint Facing Index (CFI) was calculated to rank the selected constraints. The highest proportion of the farmers (63.2 percent) faced medium constraints in achieving household food security. Among the 18 selected constraints, the highest constraints facing index (CFI) was found for ‘damage of diseases and pests in crop field’ which is 317 and the lowest was ‘lack of co-operation from family members with a score of 122. Most prioritized suggestions regarding the solution of constraints were ‘alternative income generation’ followed by ‘arrangement of organized marketing system with reasonable price for the food items’ and ‘supply of quality seeds and other agricultural inputs in reasonable price’. Given the increasing recognition in nutrition policy and its importance, the wider consideration in national development strategies for farm extension services, and production inputs as well as product marketing systems for bringing dietary security are recommended.

Keywords: Constraints, Food security, Small-scale farmers, Dinajpur

Location: Dinajpur District, Bangladesh

Start Date: 15-09-2019

End Date: 20-10-2019

Program Area: Food Safety and Security

Commodity: Dietary intake

Objectives:

Improved productivity of these small-scale farmers is the key to providing practical, sustainable solutions able to address the growing problem of food security on a global scale. Thus, it is necessary to have an account of the constraints faced by the small-scale farmers to formulate effective policies to overcome them for ensuring adequate food security. Therefore, this study was undertaken to (i) determine the extent of constraints faced by the farmers in achieving household food security, and (ii) gather suggestions given by the farmers to overcome the constraints.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in Birol Upazila of Dinajpur district. It was selected purposively among the thirteen Upazilas of the district. This Upazila is well developed and well transport system exists with the district headquarters and capital city of the country as well as the researcher is well adjusted with the socio-cultural conditions of the Upazila. That’s why it was selected for the study purposively. Among twelve unions of Birol Upazila, two unions namely Mongolpur and Ranipukur were randomly selected for the study. Among 1250 small-scale farmers in the two unions, 125 were randomly selected as samples by using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected during 15 September to 20 October 2019 by using a structured interview schedule by face-to-face interview method. The collected data were coded, compiled, tabulated and analyzed for interpretation. Different descriptive statistical measures such as frequency, number, percentage, mean, standard deviation and rank order were used for categorization and describing the variables.

A constraint-facing scale was constructed to measure the constraints faced by the smallscale farmers in achieving household food security by using closed form questions. Firstly, twenty-five constraint items of the constraints facing scale was prepared based on Agada and Igbokwe (2015), Dayo et al. (2008), Ijatuyi et al. (2017) and Joel et al. (2018). Out of these, eighteen most important constraints of the small-scale farmers of the study area were finalized in the scale based on pre-test experiences. The farmers were asked to give their opinion on 18 selected constraints which were identified by discussing with the farmers prior to data collection. A four-point rating scale was used for computing the constraint score of a respondent (Mahzabin, 2011). For each constraint, score of 3, 2, 1 and 0 was assigned to indicate the extent of constraint faced by the respondents as high, medium, low and not at all, respectively. The overall constraint facing score was computed for each of the respondent by summing their attained scores. The possible score of the Constraint Facing Index (CFI) for each of the respondent could range from 0 to 54, where 0 indicates no constraint facing and 54 indicates highest constraint facing. Based on the overall constraint facing scores the respondents were categories into three groups following the equal distribution of the possible range.

Again, the Constraint Facing Index (CFI) was computed using the following formula:

CFI = (C_h × 3) + (C_m × 2) + (C_l × 1) + (C_n × 0)

Where, CFI = Constraints Facing Index

C_h = Number of respondents mentioned the extent of facing the constraint as high C_m = Number of respondents mentioned the extent of facing the constraint as medium C_l = Number of respondents mentioned the extent of facing the constraint as low C_n= Number of respondents mentioned the extent of facing the constraint as not at all.

The CFI score for each of the constraints could range from 0 to 375, where 0 indicates the lowest extent of constraints and 375 indicates the highest extent of constraints faced by the farmers. Ranking of the constraints was done based on the CFI scores for of the constraints. Attempts were also made to find out the suggested solutions of the identified constraints using an open from question in the questionnaire. Ranking was done based on the number of citations for each of the suggestions by the respondents.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education, Volume 32(1): 2020

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study concludes that the majority of the farmers had faced medium constraints in achieving household food security. But there remains a legit percentage of farmers facing high constraints which is engraving the food insecurity condition. Moreover, ‘damage of diseases and pests in crop field’, ‘high price of food items and ‘High cost of production’ were the top-ranked constraints. The constraints are needed to be solved to ensure the food security and well-being of the farm households especially the over-dominating small-scale farms. Both GOs and NGOs can promote year-round income-generating activities (IGAs) along with different off-farm endeavors as suggested by the farmers. This might give farmers support in satisfying their unfulfilled needs and achieving food security. NGOs can emphasize on uplifting the socio-economic condition of their beneficiaries through alternative income generation, providing incentives, arranging training, giving credit in easy terms and conditions etc. Arrangement of adult literacy programs emphasizing skill development and capacity building needs to be undertaken by both government and non-government organizations so that farmers are capable enough to contribute to household food security. Moreover, the linkage between GOs and NGOs with farmers is needed to be strengthened to make available the required inputs, technologies and information’s for agriculture and proper steps to mitigate the constraints faced by farmers in achieving household food security. In addition, assurance by the government for adequate arrangements of credit facilities for willing farmers should be provided, together with a regular distribution of farming incentives to farmers at regulated prices. There is also a need to provide adequate education to facilitate the farmers’ receptivity to new innovations. Since the small-scale farmers suffer from constraints/shocks regarding information of farm production and marketing system, the government should emphasize wider consideration on the information of farm production, inputs and produce marketing system which impacts on dietary security. The government should also provide a holistic approach to the discrepancy in the national and grass-roots food security status, so as to affect a timely intervention in order to rescue the most vulnerable farmers who operate small-scale farms. For a strong evidence base and review focused on the impact of agricultural input subsidies and marketing systems on food security and nutrition, further study needs to be focused.

Knowledge Management: Journal