The effect of land management on soil productivity in a shifting (Jhum) cultivation system : a case study of Talukdarpara watershed, Bandarban, Bangladesh | |
| Author | Bari, Md. Abdul |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. AS-01-11 |
| Subject(s) | Land use--Bangladesh Soil productivity--Bangladesh Shifting cultivation--Bangladesh |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AS-01-11 |
| Abstract | Shifting (Jhum) cultivation is the main agricultural production system in the Chittagong Hill Tract of Bangladesh. The study was to provide insight into the soil productivity of this system. Talukdarpara, a watershed in Bandarban District, was selected as the study area. The study is based on a farm survey and soil analysis. The study also includes the farm area of a research station, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Center (SCWMC), to compare the traditional shifting cultivation practices in the area with the modern soil management practiced on the research farm. Shifting agriculture is sustainable if practiced in the traditional way, with 3-4 years cropping followed by a 10-15 years fallow period, during which the natural vegetation is allowed to regenerate. However, during the last 15-20 years, pressure on the land has increased, mainly due to the establishment of the Kaptai Reservoir that occupies large areas of fertile agricultural land and a significant increase in population. Consequently, the fallow period has been reduced to only 3-5 years. This lead to reduced soil fertility and increased susceptibility of the soil to erosion. Under these conditions, shifting cultivation becomes unsustainable and yields level decrease. Soil erosion has also reportedly increased, resulting in further loss of soil fertility and downstream siltation. Results of soil analysis and the farm survey supported the farmers' perceptions on soilfertility degradation and consequent yield decline in the area. The system is more productive and sustainable if the soil is managed using practices such as hedgerow cultivation and terracing. Four important factors were identified that affect the quality of land management, i.e., land user rights, lack of effective research and extension, limited alternative income possibilities, and the lack of marketing for the agricultural produce. Information on the physical and chemical soil properties, their dynamics and their influences on soil fertility in the study area could be used as basis for further investigation and rehabilitation of the degraded agro-ecosystem in the area. |
| Year | 2001 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AS-01-11 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Aquatic Systems(AS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Zoebisch, Michael A.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Apisit Eiumnoh ;Ranamukhaarachchi, S.L.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DANIDA, The Royal Danish Embassy, Dhaka ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001 |