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Agro-ecologial Survey and Monitoring of Crops and Cropping in the Hilly Areas of Bangladesh

Md. Abdul Aziz
SSO
Agronomy Division, Gazipur

M. A Rahman
CSO
Agronomy Division, Gazipur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted to know socio-agro-economic conditions of hilly farmers and to find out the existing crops and cropping in the hill valley areas with production technologies. A total of 80 farmers from 4 different locations Dighinala, Khagrachari, Ramgarh, and Raikhali were selected randomly. Socio-economic profiles of the hill farmers indicated that the average family size was 5.01 with age 46 years. More than 60% farmers have no formal education. The average farm size was 0.55 ha but having more complex land ownership pattern. Rice based cropping pattern is predominant in the hill valley and 54% of responded farmers follow T.Aman-Fallow-Fallow pattern. Ninety three percent farmers transplant T.Aman in the month of July and 71% of them harvest in the month of October. It also showed that about 45% of the rice growing soil is loam and clay loam where residual moisture prevails after harvest of T.Aman rice. Moreover, there are also sources near the hill “chhara”. It indicates that there are enough scope of growing short duration winter crop after harvest of T.Aman rice. Prolonged winter season in the hilly areas could also be helpful to sustain winter crops. The study should be respected in for the next season for proper monitoring and final conclusion.

Keywords: Survey, Monitoring,Crops, Cropping patterns, Hilly areas

Location: Khagrachari, Ramgorh, Raikhali

Start Date: 12-11-2005

End Date: 10-04-2006

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Cropping pattern

Objectives:

To find out the crops and cropping in the hill valley areas as well as to find out the production technology of each crops

Methodology:

A multistage random sampling technique was used to select location and hill farmers for the present study. At the first stage, an exploratory visit was made in the hill areas of Khagrachari and chittagong districts for finding out suitable locations keeping in mind the objectives of the study. Finally, Dighinala, Khagrachari, Ramgorh and Raikhali locations were selected for the study as BARI had research station in this area and logistics were available for field survey. A total of 80 farmers, taking about 20 farmers from each of the location were randomly selected for the study. Before selecting the farmers, a pilot survey was conducted at Hajchora Jorabridge village of Dighinala Upazila.A draft interview schedule was prepared and pre tested before preparing final interview schedules.Agronomic Profiles : In the study area major crops were identified as T.aman, Boro and Aus rice grown in the hill valley. The crops grow in three different seasons there were rice 8 varieties used by the hill farmers and BR-11 was most popular in T.aman (62%), followed by China IRRI (43%) in boro and 67% in aus season). Most of the farmers plough their land 4 times (68% T.aman, 65% boro and 67% aus) followed by laddering 3 times. Ninety three percent of farmers transplant T.aman in the month of July, boro (57%) in January and aus (100%) in March. Majority of the farmers followed traditional method of transplanting. Among the respondents 92% of farmers applied basal fertilizers and most of them apply only TSP and MP (67 in T.aman, 49% in boro and 100% in aus), and top dressed urea one time (68, 62 and 100% in T.aman, boro and aus respectively). One time (54%) weeding practiced in T.aman and 2 times in boro (65%) and aus (67%) respectively. About 57% of farmers only irrigate boro rice and used pesticides in T.aman (40%) and boro (68%). Seventy one percent of the farmers harvest T.aman in the month of October and 29% in November. It indicated that there is enough scope of growing short duration winter crops after harvest of T.aman rice.The Jhum Cultivation in the hilly area: Jhum cultivation is an old-age traditional crop cultivation system of the people in the hill area. This system is completely different from normal cultivation practiced in the plain areas. After cultivation crops, farmers generally leave the hill for rejuvenation of top soils and back to the same hill after 3-10 years for crop production. This cultivation system is, therefore called as shifting cultivation. Slashing and subsequent burning are preconditions for Jhum cultivation. That’s why this cultivation system is also called slash and burn cultivation. Jhum cultivation in the study areas is discussed below.

Source of Information: Annual Report, Agronomy Division, 2005-2006

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Asian Development Bank

Budget: 35,000/-

Total Budget (Tk.) : 35,000/-

Achievement/Findings:

Rice based cropping pattern is predominant in the hill valley and 54% of responded farmers practiced T.Aman-Fallow-Fallow cropping pattern. Ninety three percent farmers transplant T.Aman in the month of July and 71% of them harvest in the month of October. Results also showed that about 45% of the rice growing soil is loamy and clay loam where residual moisture prevails after harvest of T.Aman rice. Moreover, there are also sources near the hill “chara”. It indicates that there enough scope of growing short duration winter crop after harvest of T.Aman rice. Prolonged winter season in the hilly areas could also be helpful to sustain winter crops.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings