M. A. Monayem Miah
Senior Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Gazipur
S. M. Fakhrul Islam
Associate Professor
Department of Agricultural Economics, BSMRAU, Salna, Gazipur
The study measured the cost of soil erosion due to shifting cultivation (Jhum) and estimated benefit of soil conservation technology (MSFO) in the Khagrachari district during April-December, 2005. It also assessed farmers’ perceptions on shifting cultivation (Jhum) and conservation technology, marginal impact was measured through productivity change method, and benefit of soil conservation was estimated using project appraisal technique. The study showed that Jhum farming causes huge soil loss (41.05 t/ha), degrades soil quality, decrease crop yield, and causes various environmental degradations. The productivity of crops under shifting cultivation has been decreased with decrease in fallow period. Contrarily, the conservation technology was highly profitable and acceptable to the farmers as its rates of returns (BCR; 14.14; NPV; Tk. 58,22, 536; IRR; 65.92%) were very high. Functional analysis showed that the Jhum farmer would receive 190% higher return if they adopt MSFO technology. Knowing all the negative impacts of shifting cultivation, hill farmers practiced it due to scarcity of plain land, requirement of livelihood, and ignorance of modern cultivation system. Most of the hill farmers expressed high interest toward MSFO technology and wanted to adopt if they get financial support and technical assistance from concerned authority.
Soil erosion, cost, benfit, conservation.
Khagrachari district
a. To estimate cost and benefit of Jhum cultivation, and measure the benefit of increasing fallow period for Jhum cultivation;
b. To estimate costs and benefits of soil conservation technology in the hill areas; and
c. To assess farmers’ perceptions on Jhum cultivation and soil conservation technology.
Matiranga, Ramgar and Sadar Upazila of Khagrachari district were purposively selected for interviewing MSFO farmers and Dighinala Upazila for interviewing Jhum farmers. A total of 60 MSFO households, taking 15 farmers from each of the list of farmers adopting MSFO technology before 1,2,3, and 4 years ago were randomly selected for the study. On the other hand, before selecting Jhum households, a pilot survey was conducted at the study area and prepared a list of Jhum farmers who cultivated crops on the same hill after 3,4,5 and 6 years. Then, a total of 40 Jhum farmers taking 10 farmers from each of the list were randomly chosen for interview and monitoring of their cultivation system. Data and information regarding MSFO were collected a pre-tested interview schedule during April-May, 2005 MSFO farmers were interviewed twice for gathering required data. On the other hand, the trained enumerator collected detailed input and output data through a pre-tested interview schedule from Jhum farmers on weekly basis during May-December, 2005. Secondary information were collected from statistical bureau, PhD thesis, research reports, web-site, etc.
Annual Research Report 2006, Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Gazipur
Jhum Farming in the study areas is profitable, but it causes huge soil loss from hill, degrades soil quality, decrease crop yield and causes various environmental degradations. Hill farmers have been practicing this age-old traditional farming system from time immemorial only due to their invelihood, scarcity of plain land, and not acquainted to modern cultivation systems. The length of fallow period has positive and significant impact on productivity of crops. On the other hand, the soil conservation technology (MSFO) is highly profitable as its rates of returns are very high. The Jhum farmers could get 190% higher return from MSFO and could improve their livelihood if they adopt this technology. The conservation technology was highly profitable and acceptable to the farmers as its rates of returns (BCR; 14.14; NPV; Tk. 58,22, 536; IRR; 65.92%) were very high. Functional analysis showed that the Jhum farmer would receive 190% higher return if they adopt MSFO technology. Knowing all the negative impacts of shifting cultivation, hill farmers practiced it due to scarcity of plain land, requirement of livelihood, and ignorance of modern cultivation system. Most of the hill farmers expressed high interest toward MSFO technology and wanted to adopt if they get financial support and technical assistance from concerned authority.
Report/Proceedings