Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Shifting from Rice Production to Shrimp Culture in Coastal Zones of Khulna: Determination of the Determinants

M. Anisuzzaman
Department of Agricultural Statistics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-22012, Bangladesh

M. A. Islam*
Department of Agricultural Statistics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-22012, Bangladesh

K. M. M. Rahman
Department of Agricultural Statistics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-22012, Bangladesh

M. S. R. Shetu
Department of Agricultural Statistics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-22012, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study aimed to investigate the determinants of shifting to shrimp culture from rice cultivation in coastal zones of Khulna district by using primary data collected from the four upazillas of Khulna, namely, Batiaghata, Dacope, Dumuria, and Paikgacha. Along with bivariate analysis, single-level binary logistic regression was carried out to identify the determinants of shifting. Through the bivariate analysis it had found that among all variables considered, some variables, precisely, amount of land holdings, access to credit, contact with GOs/NGOs, intrusion of saline water, perception of profitability of shrimp, and water logging had significant relation with shifting to shrimp culture. Similarly, the binary logistic regression had identified five significant determinants of shifting from rice cultivation to shrimp culture: occupation, land holding, access to credit, intrusion of saline water, and water logging.

Keywords: Coastal zones, Climate change, Salinity, Water logging, Rice production, Shrimp culture

Location: Four upazillas of Khulna, namely, Batiaghata, Dacope, Dumuria, and Paikgacha

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Dissemination

Objectives:

The overall objectives of the study attempted at determining the reasons for shifting from rice cultivation to shrimp cultivation.

Methodology:

Description and selection of the study area: Khulna is situated in the southern part of Bangladesh, and lies south of Jessore and Narail, East of Satkhira, West of Bagerhat and North of the Bay of Bengal with an area of 4394.46 square kilometer and consists of 9 upazilas (BBS, 2012).The climate and rainfall distribution of Khulna is dominated by the southwest monsoon of the Indian Ocean. Notably, the post monsoon is hot and humid, with occasional thunderstorms, cyclones and storm surges and October-November is associated with tidal wave severally affect the coastal area, when crops, livestock, property and human lives are lost. These study areas were selected to represent the communities that are affected by climate uncertainty, tropical cyclones and storm surges to different degrees. The communities were selected for the following reasons: firstly, they fall within the coastal saline area of Bangladesh where there are frequent shortages of food due to uncertainty of rainfall and lack of fresh irrigation water. Secondly, the area provides an opportunity to study impacts associated with climate change and vulnerability on crop and livestock. Evidently, the farmers who shifted from rice to shrimp farming were available in these areas. Sampling and data collection: The study was based on primary data collected from four upazillas of Khulna district - Batiaghata, Dumuria, Dacope, and Paikgacha. Among these upazillas a total of 100 farmers were chosen purposively for the study. Initially 20 farmers who had cultivated rice and afterwards 80 farmers who had shifted to shrimp culture from rice production had been selected purposively. The 20 farmers in the first category, i.e., rice cultivator, were entirely engaged in the production of rice. The other 80 farmers in the second category had been shifted to shrimp culture from rice production; thereby, their lands were no longer available for rice production. Pre-tested structured interview schedule had been used to collect data from the households. Prior to starting of interview, each respondent was given a brief description about the nature and purpose of the study. For the study, data were collected during the period February to March 2014. After collection of necessary information, the schedules were carefully checked, scrutinised and edited to avoid irrelevant information. Responses of the completed questionnaires were numerically coded and analysed. Analytical method: The differentials of shiftingto shrimp cultivation from rice production were studied employing cross-tabulation analysis and the predictors of shifting had been determined by using singlelevel binary logistic regression model. Bivariate analysis and chi-square test of independence of attributes: Bivariate analysis can be helpful in testing simple hypotheses of association and causality – checking to what extent it becomes easier to know and predict a value for the dependent variable if we know a case value of the independent variable. In a bivariate analysis, the use of percentage is an advantageous first step for studying the relationship between two variables viz., dependent and independent variables.

Source of Information: J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 13(2): 257–264, 2015

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Coastal farmers, in many cases, are not prudent enough in making appropriate adaptation decision. Since most of the coastal farmers or farmers of elsewhere in Bangladesh are illiterate or less educated, they usually do not have the scientific basis on farming practices. Evidently, there are chances of being misguided in taking farming-decision. In many occasions farmers have been switched to shrimp cultivation in lands which were not suitable for shrimp cultivation, but suitable for rice cultivation. In these circumstances, concerned agencies, like, Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Fisheries, and Ministry of Agriculture have roles to play in averting risk that may arise from shifting decision. In order to help farmers, they (concerned authority) should identify the land which will be appropriate for shrimp culture or rice production. Only then, farmers can get expected gain from both rice production and shrimp farming. Therefore, if the decision of shifting can be made by the experts, that would be beneficial for the farmers. Income that comes from engaging in agriculture is not enough to cover production process of certain crops and all the necessary expenses of a household. This seriously hampers the production process and also poses threats to the household members in the context of food security. On the other hand, family and farmers engaging in occupation other than agricultural activities only have the more flexibility to adapt efficiently. Income from other sources than agricultural activities ensures smooth farming operation and benefit of shifting. Therefore, engaging in off-farm income generating activities could be the solution. People of the coastal zone should be thinking of establishing small businesses, focusing on off-farm activities, setting up cottage industries, and so forth. Potential gain from these activities can avert possible losses that may arise in several stages of farming operations.
Larger farmers (according to the farm size) are supposed to be more dominant and affluent in coastal zone. Unlike small and marginal farms, in many cases, larger farms are more efficient in using appropriate farming technology and their gains are usually higher than relatively small size of farm in shifting to shrimp cultivation. Hence, farmers should be encouraged to increase the farm size by initiating co-operation and appropriate measures should be taken by the government in this regard.

Knowledge Management: Journal