Low external input sustainable agriculture: Bangladesh case studies

Abstract

Case studies were conducted in a village each under Chandina, Lalihati and Naogaon Thanas of Comilla, Tangail and Naogaon districts respectively all being under different Agro-ecological zones. The locations were a) lowland rice irrigated farm with high external input (comilla), b) Medium lowland with moderate input ( Tangail) and c) Upland farm with indigenous and low or no external input (Naogaon). Net Farm Income in the three categories of farm, namely, a) traditional b) modern and c) suggested LEISA farm under each case study thana has been calculated. In kalihati case study farm, the income is US$21.22, 288.06 and (958.23+295.66) /ha respectively under three categories of farm. In Chandina these fiqures were US$123.74, 172.94 and (127.55+237.04) respectively. In Naogaon the income was US$ 254.91, 472.14 and (530.39+589.23) respectively under those three farm categories. In Tangail, Comilla and Naogaon cash receipt/ha was US$ 1222.80, 1477.33 and 745.63, respectively, whereas Net farm Income/ha/year was US$ 288.06,172.94 and 472.14 respectively. In all of these case study areas, cost of fertilizer, labour and water from private water seller have largely influenced gross margin. Over and above, education and awareness of ffarmers, particularly of women proved to be very vital in using external inputs. Timely availability of inputs, financial stringency and unpredictable weather also affect profuction and profit margin. Appropriate price of the product and good marketing facilities were found to be encouraging factors for LEISA farming. Group farming, instead of isolated cropping is more favourable for LEISA and is more so if managed under close supervision of extension agents technologies from researchers. Finally, it has been suggested that mere LEISA in crops only will not be adequate to achieve targeted food production, rather approach to integrate crops, livestock, fishery, marketing and transportation under a coordinated policy may enhance LEISA practice.