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Socio-economic Assessment of Arsenic Contamination in Some Selected Areas of Bangladesh

M Shahe Alam
CSO
Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute

M Jhangir Kabir
SSO
Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute

M A Salam
SO
Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute

M Ariful Islam
SO
Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted in three locations namely: Kachua Upazila of Chandpur, Faridpur sadar and Bhanga Upazila of Faridpur.The objective of these study was to assess the level of arsenic contamination in crop production and understand the magnitude of land degradation due to arsenic contamination. Farmers believe that, besides drinking of tube well water, consumption of contaminated rice was another cause of arsenicosis disease. About 29 and 21% respondents of Bhanga and Faridpur sadar respectively reported the similar notion. Rice farmers adopted few indigenous way of overcoming the problem of arsenic contamination in rice fields. Majority of the farms applied more gypsum and did mulching to the plots. Due to the application of extra fertilizer and additional labour, the cost of Boro production for the arsenic affected plots was much higher compared to that of non-affected plots in all the locations. On average the yield of Boro in more arsenic contaminated plots was 40-50% low compared to that of less arsenic contaminated plots.It can be inferred from farmers' opinion that, soil fertility has been decreasing resulting to low soil productivity. Although farmers were using higher doses of fertilizers, in rice fields yield did not increase indicating that land degradation happening due to arsenic contamination through irrigation water.

Keywords: Socioeconomic assessment, Arsenic contamination, Crop production practices.

Location: Kachua upazila under Chandpur district,Faridpur Sadar and Bhanga Upazila under Faridpur district

Start Date: 01-07-2009

End Date: 30-06-2010

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Arsenic

Objectives:

To assess the level of arsenic contamination in crop production and understand the magnitude of land degradation due to arsenic contamination
To assess the possible effect of arsenic contamination on crop production practices at the farm level and
To find out possible social and economic impact of arsenic contamination on crops and fields in the study areas.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in three locations namely: Kachua Upazila of Chandpur, Faridpur sadar and Bhanga Upazila of Faridpur district. Two villages (i.e., Uttar Ashrafpur and Maddhya Asrafpur of Kachua, Dumrakandi and Poranpur of Faridpur sadar and Monsurabad and Tojapur of Bhanga) under each of the above Upazila were selected for carrying out in depth socio-economics survey. Sampling and data: A comprehensive list of the rice producing farms in each village was prepared by taking help of Sub-assistant Agriculture officer. For the present study, the farms those used STW for crop production were the representative samples. Out of those, fifty farms from each village to make a total of 300 farmers were selected following random sampling technique. Data were collected through directly interviewing the selected farmers using pre-designed questionnaire during November, 2009 and 2010. Collected data were scrutinized, edited and compiled using appropriate computer software. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in analyzing the data.

Source of Information: Proceedings of BRRI Annual Internal Review for 2009-2010

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Besides drinking of tube well water, consumption of contaminated rice was another cause of arsenicosis disease. Farmers applied additional gypsum and did mulching to the plots to avoid arsenic contamination.The cost of Boro production in arsenic affected plots was higher compared to that of non-affected plots in all the locations due to extra fertilizer application and mulching.In arsenic contaminated plots, yields was 40-50% lower then less arsenic contaminated plots.It can be inferred from farmers' opinion that, soil fertility has been decreasing resulting to low soil productivity. Although farmers were using higher doses of fertilizers, in rice fields yield did not increase indicating that land degradation happening due to arsenic contamination through irrigation water.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings