The research was conducted to evaluate the impact of practicing conservation agriculture on farmers' livelihood enhancement in two districts of Bangladesh. A total of 120 farmers (20 from focal and 100 from control group) were surveyed from Jamalpur and Bogra districts for collecting necessary data and information. An amalgam of descriptive statistics, mathematical and statistical analyses was used to analyze the data.
Bangladesh is a role model for the United Nations to be showcased for its excellent development performance to developing nations. Agriculture is the heart of Bangladesh economy where more than 80% farmers are smallholder having land less than 1.0 hectare. The rural economy constitutes a significant component of the national GDP with agriculture (including crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry) accounting for 17.2%. In order to feed the increasing population of Bangladesh, 'Green Revolution' has emerged in the 1960s and priority was given to produce more food through intensification of land usage. As a result, immediate objectives of more crop production have been achieved and crop production has been increased by manifolds. For a shorter period, Bangladesh has attained self-sufficiency in food production.
But long term use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides in conjunction with monoculture of cereal crops without any organic fertilizer result in lack of organic matter content that causes a lot of problems to the soil health. As a result, soil fertility and productivity is decreasing day by day. Since the average cropping intensity is 185% in Bangladesh (BBS, 2014), most farms manage about two (02) crops per year which are mainly rice or vegetables. Soil is interconnected with other natural resources such as air, water, fauna and flora. If the soil is well managed, the effects of agriculture on the environment will be acceptable and vice versa. In this context, introduction of resource conserving agriculture, i.e., conservation agriculture is becoming increasingly important in overcoming the problems of declining agricultural productivity in Bangladesh.
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: Literature Review
- Chapter 3: Research Methodology
- Chapter 4: Results and Discussion
- Chapter 5: Policy Recommendations
Objectives and Key Themes
This research aimed to evaluate the impact of conservation agriculture on farmers' livelihoods in two Bangladeshi districts. The study sought to understand the adoption rate of conservation agriculture, its effect on income and poverty levels, and the challenges faced by farmers in its implementation.
- Impact of conservation agriculture on farmers' income
- Adoption rates and factors influencing the adoption of conservation agriculture
- Effect of conservation agriculture on poverty reduction
- Challenges faced by farmers in adopting conservation agriculture
- Policy recommendations for promoting conservation agriculture
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter introduces the research topic, highlighting the importance of conservation agriculture for enhancing farmers' livelihoods in Bangladesh. It establishes the context by discussing the challenges faced by farmers and the potential benefits of adopting conservation agriculture practices. The chapter outlines the research objectives, scope, and methodology, setting the stage for the subsequent chapters.
Chapter 2: Literature Review: This chapter presents a comprehensive review of existing literature on conservation agriculture, its impacts, and adoption challenges. It examines previous studies on the socioeconomic aspects of conservation agriculture, focusing on similar contexts and highlighting relevant findings. The review synthesizes current knowledge and identifies gaps in the research, justifying the need for the present study. The chapter may explore various theoretical frameworks and models related to agricultural productivity, farmer behavior, and poverty reduction.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology: This chapter details the research design and methods employed in the study. It describes the sampling procedure, data collection techniques (surveys, interviews, etc.), and the statistical analyses used to analyze the data. The chapter justifies the choice of study areas, sample size, and statistical methods, ensuring the rigor and validity of the research findings. This section also addresses potential limitations of the study design.
Chapter 4: Results and Discussion: This chapter presents the key findings of the study. It analyzes the data gathered from the surveyed farmers to evaluate the impact of conservation agriculture on various aspects of their livelihoods, including income, poverty levels, and environmental conditions. The chapter discusses the statistical significance of the findings and provides interpretations in the context of the research objectives. It may include tables and figures to illustrate the results. The discussion section connects the findings with the literature review, highlighting agreements and disagreements with previous research and offers explanations for any unexpected results.
Chapter 5: Policy Recommendations: This chapter summarizes the key policy implications of the research findings. Based on the analysis, it provides concrete recommendations for improving the adoption and effectiveness of conservation agriculture in Bangladesh. These recommendations may address issues such as input support, extension services, training programs, and policy interventions to encourage the wider adoption of these sustainable agricultural practices.
Keywords
Conservation agriculture, farmers' livelihoods, socioeconomic impact, Bangladesh, adoption rates, income, poverty, policy recommendations, agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions: Comprehensive Language Preview on Conservation Agriculture in Bangladesh
What is the overall topic of this research?
This research evaluates the impact of conservation agriculture on farmers' livelihoods in two Bangladeshi districts. It examines the adoption rate, effects on income and poverty, and challenges faced by farmers.
What are the main objectives of the study?
The study aims to understand the impact of conservation agriculture on farmers' income, the adoption rates and influencing factors, its effect on poverty reduction, the challenges faced by farmers in adoption, and to provide policy recommendations for promotion.
What chapters are included in this research preview?
The preview includes summaries of five chapters: Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methodology, Results and Discussion, and Policy Recommendations. It also provides a table of contents, objectives and key themes, and keywords.
What does the Introduction chapter cover?
The introduction sets the stage by introducing the topic, highlighting the importance of conservation agriculture in Bangladesh, discussing challenges faced by farmers, outlining the research objectives, scope, and methodology.
What is the focus of the Literature Review chapter?
This chapter reviews existing literature on conservation agriculture, its impacts, and adoption challenges. It examines previous studies on socioeconomic aspects, synthesizes current knowledge, identifies research gaps, and explores relevant theoretical frameworks.
What details are provided in the Research Methodology chapter?
This chapter details the research design and methods, including the sampling procedure, data collection techniques (surveys, interviews), and statistical analyses. It justifies the choices made and addresses potential limitations.
What does the Results and Discussion chapter present?
This chapter presents key findings, analyzing data on the impact of conservation agriculture on income, poverty levels, and environmental conditions. It discusses the statistical significance, provides interpretations, and connects the findings with the literature review.
What is included in the Policy Recommendations chapter?
This chapter summarizes key policy implications and provides concrete recommendations for improving the adoption and effectiveness of conservation agriculture in Bangladesh, addressing issues like input support, extension services, and training programs.
What are the key themes explored in this research?
Key themes include the impact of conservation agriculture on farmers' income and poverty levels, adoption rates and influencing factors, challenges faced by farmers, and policy recommendations for promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
What keywords describe this research?
Keywords include: Conservation agriculture, farmers' livelihoods, socioeconomic impact, Bangladesh, adoption rates, income, poverty, policy recommendations, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability.
- Quote paper
- Aurup Ratan Dhar (Author), 2016, Enhancing Farmers' Livelihood Through Adoption of Conservation Agriculture, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/737344