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Impact of Crop Diversification on Livelihood Improvement and Sustainable Land Management in Chattogram Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

Rahman, M. M.
Silviculture Genetics Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chattogram - 4000, Bangladesh

W. Parvin
Silviculture Genetics Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chattogram - 4000, Bangladesh

N. Sultana
Silviculture Genetics Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chattogram - 4000, Bangladesh

S. A. M. Tareq
Silviculture Genetics Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chattogram - 4000, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted at Sorai union of Lama Upazilla under the Bandarban district of Chattogram Hill Tracts. It was found that a total of 19 plant species including bamboos, timbers, and fruit crops have been widely cultivated in the area. Among the species five bamboos (Mitinga, Baijja Muli, Borak, and Kali), six timbers (Acacia, Eucalyptus, Garjon, Teak, Gamar, and Rubber), and eight fruits (Mango, Olive, Papaya, Guava, Coconut, Hog plum, Orange and Betel nut) were recorded. Bamboo-based agro-forestry modules were developed and practiced which produced a very good cropping diversification to sustain the crop productivity, protection of land sliding, soil erosion, water shade, and soil fertility in the hill areas. It has been observed that farmers’ have a very good positive attitude and perception in diversified cropping systems to get better yields than mono-cropping agricultural practice at their homestead and farmlands. It has a very good opportunity to make the crop diversification for sustainable production of hill farming and resource management.

Keywords: Crop diversification; Sustainable land management; Shifting cultivation; Livelihood.

Location: Sorai union of Lama Upazilla under Bandarban district of Chattogram

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Non-commodity: Socio-economic status

Objectives:

The goal of the study was to improve the livelihood security of hill farmers of Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHTs) through the application of bio-diverse eco- friendly agroforestry practices.

Methodology:

Sorai union of Lama Upazilla under Bandarban district of Chattogram Hill Tracts was selected as the study site. It is located 40 kilometers south of the Bandarban main city and 20 kilometers North of Lama Upazilla. It comprises 9 wards and the total population is 13,292. Ethnic and Bengali communities have been living together in this union. Four ethnic communities such as Marma, Tanchanga, Murang, and Tripura are living there. Most of the people are to depend on agricultural practices and they are small household owners. The ethnic people usually practice their traditional farming system Jhum- the shifting cultivation. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method with developed questionnaires was followed to select the targeted farmer's group and to identify their problems, needs, and potentials. The pre-intervention status of the selected farmers was evaluated through case studies/surveys. In the process, the existing farm resources, assets, liabilities, present use of resources, existing farming practices and technologies used, level of input used and outputs obtained, performances of different enterprises, income and expenditure status assessed for each farm household. Based on the pre-intervention status, the system performance was analyzed in the context of the existing biophysical and socio-economic environment of the farm and constraints and potentials identified. To ensure maximum utilization of existing farm resources, alternate/new packages of technology were identified and finally selected on the basis of farmers’ options. Data collection and analysis- The farmers’ attitudes and perceptions regarding practicing an alternative method of agricultural practice instead of their traditional jhum cultivation were focused on in this study. So the farmers of the study area were selected as the target group and the primary data were collected from the field using a mixed-method followed by a semi-structured questionnaire. The sample size was 60 selected farmers who practice the traditional jhum cultivation were the sampling unit. Mixed methods were used to collect the field data. Framers' attitudes and perceptions regarding practicing agroforestry were assessed along with their socio-economic conditions with the help of the questionnaire. Different indicators for accessing the contributions of agroforestry practice in reducing poverty at the study area were selected for this study. These indicators were income status, housing condition, sanitation condition, the status of the production of agricultural crops, homestead, and cropland agroforestry species, and perception of the importance of trees. The collected data were reviewed, sorted, and analyzed systematically considering the objectives of the study.

Source of Information: J. biodivers. conserv. bioresour. manag. 6(1), 2020

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcbm.v6i1.51325

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The current study may conclude that the practice of developing a new cropping pattern in the hilly region would contribute to reducing the poverty of the hill farmers. The subsistence and commercial uses of diversified products and services of multi-cropping in the same unit of land secured the food production, protecting a sound environment and conserving biodiversity. This also helps to conserve and protect traditional forest resources.

Knowledge Management: Journal