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Comparative Contribution of Crops and Homestead Forest Enterprises to Rural Household Economy: a Case Study of Keshorita Village in Bangladesh

Muhammad Ziaul Hoque*
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh

Md. Ashiqur Rahman
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh

Md. Enamul Haque
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh

Md. Safiul Islam Afrad
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh

Md. Mizanur Rahman
Department of Soil Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Despite over-dependence on the crop-based farming economy, homestead forestry practices have immense potential to ensure sustainable livelihoods in the rural and peri-urban areas of Bangladesh. A clear understanding of the physical characteristics and economic role of both sectors in rural livelihoods is vital for sustainable resource management. This study focused on the crop and homestead forest tree species diversity, profitability and their relative contribution to the household economy. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 90 sampled respondents for gathering primary data. Statistical software SPSS was employed for necessary data analysis. Findings revealed that rice remained as a single cereal crop whereas species richness of vegetables, timber and fruit trees was 3.20, 11.64 and 11.76, respectively. It was found that Mango and Jackfruit are abundant and profitable fruit trees whereas Mahogany and Jackfruit are the dominant timber trees. On average, crop and homestead forests contributed 36.42% and 20.65% to household income, respectively. Production and income from crops and homestead forests on a per hectare basis were found to vary widely among different landholding size classes, levels of education and farming experiences. It is suggested that diversification of crops and forest production along with the improvement of education level amongst farmers could improve family income and ensure better livelihoods.

Keywords: Homestead forests; Crops; Diversity; Profitability; Contribution; Household income.

Location: Kheshorita village of Gazipur Sadar Upazila is situated in the northern fringes of the capital city (Dhaka) of Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-01-2015

End Date: 00-02-2015

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Homestead Agroforestry

Objectives:

a) investigate the diversity, profitability, and distribution pattern of crop and homestead forest production system in the study area; b) estimate the contribution of crop and homestead forest production to the annual household income, and c) explore the association of selected socio-economic characteristics with income from crops and homestead forest production.

Methodology:

2.1 Study Area and Sampling Technique The study was conducted in Kheshorita village of Gazipur Sadar Upazila which is situated in the northern fringes of the capital city (Dhaka) of Bangladesh. The area is located between latitude 23.78° - 24.02° and longitude 90.26° - 90.32°. Gazipur is situated in Old Brahmaputra (floodplains) (AEZ-9) and Madhupur tract (terraces) (AEZ-28). Old Brahmaputra, Shitalakshya, Turag, Bangshi, Balu, and Banar are the major rivers in this district. The annual average temperature varies from 13 to 36°C. Annual rainfall is around 2400 mm. Agriculture has relatively high economic impacts where rice (local and high yielding varieties), vegetables, fruits and homestead forests are dominant. The total number of households in the study village was 320 which constituted the population of the study, from which, ninety (90) household heads were selected as sampled respondents following a simple random sampling technique representing 28.1% of the total households of the village.

2.2 Questionnaire Survey Household-level survey was carried out to gather primary data during January to February 2015. A semi-structured draft questionnaire was developed after finalizing the research design. The draft questionnaire was then pre-tested with 15 household heads taking 5 from each of the small, medium and large category farmers. Based on the experience and results of the pilot test, necessary modifications to the draft questionnaire were made for ease of data collection. Apart from 90 selected respondents, a reserve list of 15 respondents was kept to taken consideration in the case of the absence of a pre-selected respondent. A prior appointment was taken before going to conduct an interview with the respondent farmers to get maximum participation. Data were collected on different dimensions ranging from the socio-demographic profile, farming practices, crop and forest diversity, production and disposal pattern, profitability, income sources and problems being faced. 2.3 Farmholding Size Class Farm holding size refers to the size of land area devoted to the maintenance of farming enterprise(s) by a farmer which includes the homestead, own land under own cultivation, land taken from or given to others as borga, land taken from or given to others as the lease. But the total land area of a farm family doesn’t measure by a simple sum of all category lands instead follows a definite formula. The farm size of the respondent was computed by using the following formula 1 as used by Uddin et al.

2.6 Statistical Analysis Statistical measures such as ‘t’ test was employed to test the hypothesis “there is no significant differences between crop and homestead forest production to the household economy” whereas ‘F’ test was used to test the hypothesis “there is no significant differences among the small, medium and large farmers in respect of their income from crop and homestead forests production. Chi-squared tests of independence were used to detect relationships of selected socio-economic characters with income from crops and homestead forest production

Source of Information: Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research; 7(1): 1-16, 2018; Article no.AJAAR.41652 ISSN: 2456-8864

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.9734/AJAAR/2018/41652

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The findings of the present study reveal that homestead forest cultivation has huge potential to contribute to the household economy and improve the livelihoods of rural people. However, it requires policy to encourage farmers, especially those with marginal and small landholdings who represent the vast majority of villagers, to diversify their crops by selecting a judicious mixture of crop, fruit, timber and vegetable species. Apart from that, modeling research may be encouraged for the selection of appropriate mixtures, species optimization and economic potential of rare species. Also, a maximum of the unused homestead land can be taken under crop and homestead forest production. To do so, attention may be given to nearby wastelands and uplands that usually surround homesteads. It is vital that extension education programs need to be imperative, especially targeting farming families who depend most on crop and forest income and usually lack educational opportunities. Furthermore, crop and forest policy should address the concerns of the farmers in different landholding classes and focus on their specific requirements to enhance sustainable crop and forest management.

Knowledge Management: Journal