Author: Golam Rasul
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.RD-99-02
Year: 1999
Academic Program: Regional and Rural Development Planning (RRDP)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 1999
Examination Committee: Gopal B. Thapa (Chairperson); A.T.M. Nurul Amin, Soparth Pongquan (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: Out of the concern of excessive use of agro-chemicals and declining state of soil fertility, crop productivity, degradation of land and water resources an NGO is pursuing efforts to promote ecological farming system against the present green revolution based modem agriculture. This study attempts to evaluate the sustainability of two production systems in terms of environmental soundness, economic viability and social acceptability. To measure the sustainability 14 indicators were developed and analyzed based on data collected through household survey, soil sample analysis, crop cutting survey, observations and discussion with key informants. The study finds considerable differences between two farming systems in terms of ecological sustainability, economic viability and social acceptability. Land use pattern, cropping pattern, soil fertility management, insect and pest management are found significantly better in the ecological farming system, because cropping diversification, mixed cropping, use of organic fertilizers, cultivation of legumes are relatively higher in this type of farming system, whereas cultivation. of HYVs paddy, area under monocropping, and use of chemical fertilizers are found significantly higher in the modem farming system. Soils, in terms of organic matter content, nitrogen, sulfur and zinc are better in the ecological village, whereas in terms of pH, and phosphorus are better in the modem village. Methods applied to control pest and diseases also significantly different in the two systems. Farmers in the modem village use pesticides, whereas farmers in the ecological village adopt integrated methods, including application of local herbal insecticides. Yield and financial returns found higher in the modem village, but the stability of yield and input self-sufficiency are higher in the ecological village. Economic returns without taking into account environmental cost are almost same in both villages, but value addition per unit of land is slightly higher in the ecolo
Scholarship Donor(s): Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development
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