DRIVING FACTORS AND IMPACT OF SHIFTING LAND UNDER RICE TO FISH CULTIVATION IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

he study was conducted to explore the socio-economic status, relative profitability, determinants of adoption and livelihood changes of farmers due to shifting cultivation. Primary data were collected from 100 selected farmers using multistage random sampling technique through face-to-face interview during September to October, 2019. Descriptive statistics and Probit regression were used to achieve the objectives of the study. Per hectare variable and total cost of non-shifted farmers (rice farmers) were Tk. 148370.88 and Tk. 232156.88, respectively whereas it was Tk. 952315.4 and Tk. 1206185.4, respectively for shifted farmers (fish farmers). Net return of non-shifted and shifted farmers was Tk. -15625.08 and Tk. 691139.6 , respectively. Shifted cultivation was more profitable with BCR 1.57 compared to non-shifted farmers with BCR 0.93. Human labor, land use value and fertilizer costs were dominating cost items in rice farming whereas for fish farming, feed cost and land use value were important cost contributor. Econometric analysis shows that occupation, training, farm size and perception of cereal price had a significant influence on the decision of land shifting. The land shifting has significant impact on the livelihood of respective farm household. The different constraints respondents faced includes capital scarcity and high feed price in land shifting. Providing necessary training facilities and formal loan at low interest rate may help further investment decision of the shifted farmers.