Agronomic, economic, and environmental performance of nitrogen rates and source in Bangladesh’s coastal rice agroecosystems

Emran, Shah-Al; Krupnik, Timothy J.; Kumar, Virender; Ali, Mushir; Pittelkow, Cameron M.

doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2019.107567

Cited by 23 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Recommended rates (kg ha -1 ) of NPK for the transplanted aman crop with a local variety (yield target 3.0±0.30 t ha -1 ) and an improved variety (yield target 5.0±0.50 t ha -1 ) are 45-6-10 and 75-10-18, respectively, for saline areas within polders, and 75-10-18 outside polders in non-saline areas generally [74]. However, on average, smallholders in our study applied a 31.5-0.0-14 rate for aman rice in 2015, much lower than the recommended rate [24]. This could be a result of inadequate fertilizer and pesticide supply through market channels or higher prices of these inputs during the cultivation season [14].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 71%

“…Farms in remote locations tend to lack adequate access to roads and transportation; this increases transaction costs and hampers agricultural and economic growth [21,22]. While efficient use of fertilizers, pesticides, and human labor can increase yields [23,24], many inputs may not be readily available in markets. In addition, rural agricultural labor availability is decreasing, with workers and youth increasingly interested in non-agricultural professions providing greater income [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors contributing to farm-level productivity and household income generation in coastal Bangladesh’s rice-based farming systems

et al. 2021

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Large changes have taken place in smallholder farming systems in South Asia’s coastal areas in recent decades, particularly related to cropping intensity, input availability, climate risks, and off-farm activities. However, few studies have investigated the extent to which these changes have impacted farm-level crop productivity, which is a key driver of food security and poverty in rainfed, low-input, rice-based systems. The objective of this study was to conduct an integrated assessment of variables related to socioeconomic status, farm characteristics, and crop management practices to understand the major factors influencing crop productivity and identify promising leverage points for sustainable development in coastal Bangladesh. Using a panel survey dataset of 32 variables from 502 farm households located within polder (coastal embankment) and outside polder systems during 2005–2015, we employed statistical factor analysis to characterize five independent latent factors named here as Farming Challenges, Economic Status, Crop Management Practices, Asset Endowment, and Farm Characteristics. The factor Farming Challenges explained the most variation among households (31%), with decreases observed over time, specifically households located outside polders. Individual variables contributing to this factor included perceived cyclone severity, household distance to main roads and input-output markets, cropping intensity, and access to extension services. The most important factors for increasing crop productivity on a household and per unit area basis were Asset Endowment and Crop Management Practices, respectively. The former highlights the need for increasing gross cropped area, which can be achieved through greater cropping intensity, while the latter was associated with increased fertilizer, labor, and pesticide input use. Despite the importance of these factors, household poverty trajectory maps showed that changes in off-farm income had played the strongest role in improving livelihoods in this coastal area. This study can help inform development efforts and policies for boosting farm-level crop productivity, specifically through agricultural intensification (higher cropping intensity combined with appropriate and efficient use of inputs) and expanding opportunities for off-farm income as key pathways to bring smallholder households out of poverty.

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Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 71%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors contributing to farm-level productivity and household income generation in coastal Bangladesh’s rice-based farming systems

et al. 2021

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“…Land in Bangladesh is classified by a system that considers differences in monsoon season land inundation depth and duration (Emran et al 2019). The land typopology in AEZ 11, called High Ganges River Floodplain, is dominated by "highland", covering 43% of the area where field inundation depths range from 0 to 30 cm during the summer monsoon; to 32% "medium land" where inundation depths range from 30 to 90 cm; and the remainder by 12% "medium lowland" with inundation depths of 90 to 180 cm (FRG 2012).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated weed management in transplanted rice: options for addressing labor constraints and improving farmers’ income in Bangladesh

Ahmed

Kumar²,

Alam³

et al. 2021

Weed Technol

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In Bangladesh, weeds in transplanted rice are largely controlled by labor-intensive and costly manual weeding, resulting in inadequate and untimely weed control. Labor scarcity coupled with intensive rice production has triggered increased use of herbicides. These factors warrant a cost-effective and strategic integrated weed management (IWM) approaches. On-farm trials with transplanted rice were conducted during monsoon (‘Aman’) season in 2016 and 2017 and winter (‘Boro’) season in 2016 to 2017 in agroecological zones 11 and 12 with ten treatments - seven herbicide-based IWM options, one mechanical weed control-based option, and two checks – farmers’ current weed control practice and weed-free, to assess effects on weed control, grain yield, labor use, and profitability. Compared to farmers’ practice, herbicide-based IWM options with mefenacet+bensulfuron-methyl as preemergence (PRE) followed by (fb) either bispyribac-sodium or penoxsulam as postemergence (POST) fb one hand-weeding (HW) were most profitable alternatives, with reductions in labor requirement by 11 to 25 persons-day ha−1 and total weed control cost by USD 44 to 94 ha−1, resulting in net returns increases by USD 54 to 77 ha−1 without compromising on grain yield. In contrast, IWM options with bispyrbac-sodium or penoxsulam as POST application fb one HW reduced yields by 12 to 13% and profits by USD 71 to 190 ha−1. Non-chemical option with mechanical weeding fb one HW performed similarly to farmers’ practice on yield and profitability. We suggest additional research to develop feasible herbicide-free approaches to weed management in transplanted rice that can offer competitive advantages to current practices.

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“…Lack of information and understanding of crop nutrient requirements and appropriate application timings among farmers is another reason for the suboptimal use of fertilizers ( Emran et al, 2019 ; Jat et al, 2015 ; Mujeri et al, 2013 ). Besides incentives, farmers also need scientific information to change their fertilizer use and adopt agronomic practices that affect the nutrient recovery efficiency of cereal crops ( Acheampong et al, 2017 ; Ladha et al, 2020 ; Yang and Fang, 2015 ).…”

Section: Key Lessons On Nutrient Management and Fertilizer Use In Cermentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of balanced nutrient management innovations in South Asia: Perspectives from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka

Kishore¹,

Alvi²,

Krupnik

2021

Global Food Security

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Imbalanced application of fertilizers is a major fiscal and environmental problem in South Asia. We review fertilizer policies and extension efforts to promote the balanced application of nutrients in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and draw 4 important lessons. (1) Fertilizer sector reforms need to be fiscally sustainable and politically feasible. Governments in South Asia have abolished fertilizer subsidies on multiple occasions, only to restore them a few years later. (2) The use of phosphate and potash did not decline much even after a sharp increase in their prices in India in 2011–12. Therefore, rationalizing subsidies, while necessary, may not be sufficient to ensure balanced use of fertilizers. Changing farmers' practice requires combining the right incentives with the right information. (3) Soil test based soil health cards (SHC) hold promise, but there is limited evidence on their utility. India's SHC program had very little impact on fertilizer use. (4) Direct cash transfer (DCT) of fertilizer subsidies can reduce distortions, but Sri Lanka's experience shows that implementing it is more challenging than universal subsidies. DCT requires the removal of price controls, integration of land records, farmer identity cards, a cash transfer system with universal coverage, and a competitive fertilizer retail sector.

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Agronomic, economic, and environmental performance of nitrogen rates and source in Bangladesh’s coastal rice agroecosystems

Cited by 23 publications

References 33 publications

Factors contributing to farm-level productivity and household income generation in coastal Bangladesh’s rice-based farming systems

Factors contributing to farm-level productivity and household income generation in coastal Bangladesh’s rice-based farming systems

Integrated weed management in transplanted rice: options for addressing labor constraints and improving farmers’ income in Bangladesh

Development of balanced nutrient management innovations in South Asia: Perspectives from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka

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