Afzalur Rahman
Senior Research officer
Bangladesh Forest Research institute,Forest Economics & Statistics Division,Sholashahar, Chittagong.
N. A. Khan
Research Scholar
Centre for Development studies,University of Wales, Swansen SA2 8PP, UK.
Lemon plantation, Benefit-Cost ratio, Internal rate of Return (IRR) Lemon
Betagi of Chittagong
Socio-economic and Policy
The study followed two distinct modes of data collection to suit its two broad areas of investigation; namely, the farming practice and economic/marketing aspects of lemon farming. For the analysis of farming system, a number of personal visits were made by one of the authors to the area, where he made extensive interviews and personal observations within October 1987 to February 1988. The second phase of data collection was done during November and December 1993, as a follow-up exercise. A list of participating household (the sample frame) was already available (BFRI 1986). Taking advantage of the relative homogeneity of the population in terms of landholding, cropping and occupation pattern, 13 random cases were (i,e, 15%, where N=82) picked up for detailed interview and analysis. As for investigating the marketing system, a questionnaire was administered among the sample. Besides, a RRA survey (BFRI 1992) was also conducted on the industrial and domestic market places of lemon in a around the city of Chittagong. The areas covered were Reazuddin Bazar, Sholoshhor, Kalurghat, Anderkilla, Chawak Bazar, Nasirabad, Aturardipu, Agrabad (Karnafuli Market). a list of lemon based industrial units were collected (namely, Kohinoor Juice Products, Agrabad; Sattar Chemical Industries, Kalurghat; Nurse Industry, Baizid Bostami; Multiple Juice Processing Plant, Kalurghat). These units were visited during May and June 1991 and were interviewed by a semi-structured questionnaire. To get an idea of consumer demands for lemon, a number of urban retailing shops (dealing in lemon) were also interviewed. The study applied the principle of ‘Methodological pluralism’, combining quantitative (questionnaire, structured interview) and qualitative (personal observation, case histories, group discussions methods of data collection to maximize efficiency of information within a limited period of time (Ahmed 1991). However, it should be clearly noted that many of the complex dynamics of farming technology, productive efficiency and market of lemon plantation, could not be duly entertained in this paper due to severe time and resource constraints. The findings do not necessarily qualify for generalizations, rather should be treated as indicative.The gardens, that have been developed by the farmers comprises short, medium and long rotation crops. The plots were initially developed in line with the agro forestry prescription of Alim (1984). Among the horticultural crops lemon, guava (Psidium guajava) and jack-fruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) have received priority by the farmers. But lemon seems by far to be the most preferred item in the list. Initially it accounted for about 60% of the total annual income of the families (Rahman 1988). Currently, with the increase of fuel wood production, monopoly of lemon has partially gone down to about 30%. But still it continues to be a major source of income and the dominant farming practice at Betagi, in terms of area-coverage, adaptability and farmer’s preference.Lemon plantation at Betagi is primarily propelled by economic considerations of high demand, less production cost and prolonged productivity. The following table provides a list of propelling factors for lemon plantation at Betagi.
Bangladesh Journal of Forest Science, Vol. 23(2): 67-73,1994
Journal