Economic Analysis of Irrigation Water under Different Water Use Regimes in Godavari Command Area

A study was undertaken in Karimnagar and Warangal districts falling under the Godavari command area of Telangana to analyze the economics of irrigation among the farm households across surface water (SW), groundwater (GW) and conjunctive use (CU) regimes. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and natural resource economics tools. The farms under CU realized higher net returns per acre (` 11792) followed by GW farms (` 8229) and SW farms (` 7516). There was also an enhanced savings to the extent of ` 10900 per acre due to reduction in the expenditure on human labour, machine labour, marketing and irrigation cost under CU regime when compared to GW regime. The per annum volume of surface water used in the case of SW farms and CU farms was 263 acre inches and 182 acre inches, respectively. Volume of water used in case of CU is less when compared to SW regimes. Annual cost of irrigation water per acre was found to be highest in GW farms (` 6916) when compared to SW (` 1284) and CU (` 4063) farms. This study has shown the potential benefits of CU regime over SW and GW regime.

Konya İli Ilgın İlçesinde Şeker Pancarı Üretim Yapısı ve Sorunlar

In this study, it is aimed to determine sugar beet production in Konya province, operation of factories in the region, the situation of farmers, privatization, production structure of sugar beet and the problems based on it. For this purpose, data were collected by questionnaires from 175 producers, who were selected according to Probability-Based Sampling method, from the producers operating in the cooperatives registered in the Association of Beet Cultivators Cooperatives (Pankobirlik) in Ilgın district of Konya. According to the findings, the difficulties encountered in production were listed as high irrigation cost of sugar beet (87.4%), difficulty in combating diseases and pests (77.7%), excess labor demand compared to other products (74.3%), and insufficiency of water in the region (72.0%) in sugar beet production. In addition, about 77% of producer’s state that product prices are low. Approximately 60% of the producers in the region have stated that they are against the privatization of sugar producing factories. When the results are evaluated, it is necessary to take into consideration the costs in determining sugar beet purchase prices and to include sugar beet production within the scope of support to reduce production costs. In addition, it is considered necessary to take essential steps by considering producer opinions on privatization and to review sugar policies.

Profitability Analysis of BRRI Dhan 29 in Some Selected Areas of Bangladesh

This study was conducted to analyse profitability of HYV Boro during the 2016 Boro season. BR-29 variety was selected for analysis as this variety is dominated among all Boro varieties in the study area. A total of 75 farmers were randomly selected from seven villages of Islampur Upazilla under Jamalpur district that produced BR-29 boro variety. Primary data collection was done from the randomly selected farmers. Functional analysis of cost and return were performed in this study. Cobb-Douglas production function was also used to determine the individual input effects on BR-29 production. Human labor, land cultivation, seed, fertilizer, manure, irrigation and pesticides were seven variables used. It was observed from the result that majority of the variables had shown significant impact on BR-29 Boro production value. This study also identified some problems faced by the farmers in producing BR-29 Boro rice. These were low price of output, scarcity and high wage rate of human labour, high irrigation cost, lack of credit facilities etc. Therefore, more research and extension are suggested to solve the farmers’ problems to increase production of Boro rice and to ensure food security in Bangladesh.

A Climate Resilient Management Practice in Rice Farming: Adoption of alternate wetting and drying in Bangladesh

The aims of the study were to investigate the adoption status of alternate wetting and drying (AWD), finding out the reasons that affect in adoption of AWD and exploring the problems in practicing AWD at farm level. Data were collected from farmers of selected two villages named Noyanagar and Dhinagar of Jhilim union under Sadar upazila (sub-district) of Chapai Nawabganj district during August, 2016. Randomly chosen 80 (40 adopters and 40 non-adopters of AWD) rice farmers were the sample drawn from a population of 600 rice farmers. For collecting quantitative and qualitative data both structured questionnaire and checklists were used. In the study area the level of adoption was at satisfactory level due to the scarcity of water especially in Boro seasons although the technique of AWD was not practiced properly. Majority (80%) of the AWD adopters received preliminary information on this technology mainly from grassroots level extension officers of DAE. Yet, more than half (60%) of the respondents did not receive any training on AWD. This is why a good number of the AWD practicing farmers (45%) had low knowledge on the technology which lowered the rate of adoption. According to the majority of the adopter farmers (92%), main reason of adoption of this technology was for saving irrigation cost. On the other hand, mismatching of existing irrigation scheme with AWD was the major barrier for the adoption according to 98% of the farmers. The existing pattern of irrigation scheme created major problems for practicing AWD as perceived by the farmers (80%). Therefore, the policy maker may rethink on the irrigation policy to rearrange this irrigation scheme. Besides,proper motivational activities should be launched by the different GOs and NGOs in collaboration with DAE to increase the rate of adoption of this water saving technology.

Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) technology: A way to reduce irrigation cost and ensure higher yields of Boro rice

Massive extraction of groundwater for boro rice is the main cause of declining groundwater tables, especially in Rangpur Division, which is now a burning issue at the national level. It is now scientifically proven that rice is not a water-loving plant, but rather a water-tolerant plant. AWD can save water and energy, where both farmers and pump-owners can save around 30% of their irrigation water requirements. In Bangladesh around 4.8 million hectares of land are brought under irrigated boro rice where AWD technology can be utilized. With introduction of AWD technology, a savings of electricity costs equivalent to 5 billion Tk. or fuel cost equivalent to 7 billion Tk. will be incurred at the national level. Hence, the implementation of AWD technology will have major impacts at the farm and national levels, which can reduce irrigation cost significantly, thus saving foreign currency, as well as reducing excessive use of ground water.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(1): 1-4, April 2018

Profitability of lentil cultivation in some selected sites of Bangladesh

The study estimated the profitability, farm specific technical efficiency of lentil growers and measured the impacts of different factors associated with technical efficiency of lentil farmers. The study employed farm level cross sectional data from three lentil growing districts namely Jessore, Meherpur and Natore of Bangladesh. The study revealed that HYV lentil is profitable than local variety. Cost of human labour, organic fertilizer, TSP, MoP and irrigation cost were found to contribute significantly in the efficiency of lentil farmers. The average technical efficiency of lentil growers in Bangladesh is 64 percent. This indicates a good potential for increasing lentil output by 36 percent with the existing technology and level of inputs. Farmers’ educations and training have positive significant effect on yield and efficiency of lentil production. Farmers faced some problems like disease infestation, lack of storage facilities, lack of knowledge, untimely rainfall, high price of input and unavailability of HYV seed. Therefore, researchers should develop integrated pest, disease and insect management schedule which are environment friendly and ecologically sound. Good quality seeds of lentil should be made available locally to the farmers at a reasonable price.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 43(1): 135-147, March 2018