Poverty Elimination through Rice Research Assistance PETRRA Project

Stakeholder Analysis Report South West Coastal Region of Bangladesh

An initial prioritisation of rice production issues within the context of the livelihoods of resource-poor farm households

November 13-17, 1999

Prepared by

Satkhira District Team: Mr. ASM Rezaul Karim, SSO, Rice Farming Systems Division, BRRI (and overall regional coordinator for exercise) Md Shamsul Alam, SO BARI, Jessore Zahirul Islam (PhD), PSO, Entomology Division, BRRI Md. Abul Quasem, SSO, Farm Machinery & Post Harvest Division, BRRI Subrata Kumar Chakrabarty, Facilitator, PPF Bagherhat District Team: Md Ashraf, SO, BARI, Jessore M. Musherraf Husain (PhD), PSO, Adaptive Research Division, BRRI M.A. Saleque, SSO (PhD), Soil Science Division, BRRI Md. Abdus Sattar (PhD), PSO, Irrigation & Water Management Division, BRRI Abu Naser, Facilitator (facilitator team leader), PPF; Khulna District Team: Manaranjan K. Mandal (PhD), SSO, Irrigation & Water Management Division, BRRI Md. Abdul Jalil Mirdha, SSO, Agronomy Division, BRRI Md. Abdul Quayum, SSO, Agricultural Economics Division, BRRI Md Abdur Rouf, SO, BARI, Jessore Ahmad Salauddin, Facilitator, PPF Noel P Magor (PhD), PETRRA Project Manager

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, 1701; Tel: 933-3098 International Rice Research Institute, House 39, Road 23, Block J, Banani; Tel: 882-7210 E-mail: petrra@bdonline.com (January 2000)

Priority Problems and suggested research focus Problem prioritisation focused on issues related to rice production. The priority ranking varied across districts. The following table gives the priorities for the region based on the district rankings. For each problem a suggested research focus is given. The time availability did not allow greater discussion at village and district and thana level on the validity of each suggestion. For the planning of research and intervention activities, a next step will be to re-engage village level clients and possible uptake agencies in the region. Table 1 gives the top six identified problems in each region, and table 2 presents the remainder of the important issues. The tables do not attempt to link problems. For example lack of quality seed and lack of trust worthy agencies are linked but listed individually.

Table 1

Priority problems with researchable issues identified in the South-West Coastal Region of Bangladesh District and village joint priority ranking Bagherhat Khulna Satkhira Suggested research focus

Priority problem

Quality seed and seed issues Lack of supply of appropriate variety and good quality seed (all districts); 1; and 6 1; and Design and testing of innovative and sustainable ways of producing and distributing quality seed of modern rice varieties; Investigation of quality boro seed to combat the crisis and development of appropriate measures; and

Loss of viability of boro seed (farmers plant boro varieties in the aus season so as to have viable seed for the following boro season) (Satkhira); and Scarcity of high quality seeds of local and locally improved varieties resulting in only 50 percent germination (Bagherhat) 6

Collection and description of local and locally improved rice variety germplasm; Village level exploratory study to understand more clearly the farmer perceived problem of loss of viability for LV and LIV rice; Design and testing of innovative and sustainable ways of producing and distributing quality seeds of local and locally improved rice seed;

Table 1 (continued) Priority problem

Priority problems with researchable issues identified in the South-West Coastal Region of Bangladesh District and village joint priority ranking Bagherhat Khulna Satkhira Suggested research focus

Water stagnation Stagnant water remaining for an increasingly long time resulting in increasingly delayed transplanting of aman; poor soil aeration due to water logging and therefore soil is not getting enough sunlight (Bagherhat); Water logging due to construction of unplanned WAPDA embankments (Khulna); Water stagnation (Satkhira) Lack of coordination among various GOs and NGOs particularly for polder management 2 For all districts: Characterising soil and environment and systematising the key environmental parameters that impact on rice production as caused by the water-logging; and Development of tall and stagnation/submergence tolerant rice variety; and Development of participatory consultation/ management/ conflict resolution etc process for common property resources (polders)

Table 1 (continued) Priority problem

Priority problems with researchable issues identified in the South-West Coastal Region of Bangladesh District and village joint priority ranking Bagherhat Khulna Satkhira Suggested research focus

Salinity Soil and water salinity cause damage to rice plants (mentioned by farm households in Bagherhat); Absence of salt tolerant variety; and Gradual increase in salinity content in land and water causing reduced rice productivity. Farm households reported a progressive increase in the duration of salinity in the fields during late monsoon (Bagherhat); 3; and For all saline affected areas the following are suggested areas for research focus: Development of salt tolerant rice varieties; 1 2 Development of early maturing (< 140 days) MV rice varieties of boro (for salinity avoidance); Innovation of cultural management practices for salinity control; and Characterising and systematising the key environmental parameters that impact on rice production as influenced by salinity; Feasibility studies on polder management for preventing saline water intrusion in coastal areas; Rain-water conservation for crop production;

Table 1 (continued) Priority problem

Priority problems with researchable issues identified in the South-West Coastal Region of Bangladesh District and village joint priority ranking Bagherhat Khulna Satkhira Suggested research focus

Technology Uptake Lack of knowledge regarding Extension facilities available; Input sources; Input use; Seed preservation and selection of correct HYV variety; Use of balanced fertilizer & Pesticide use; Cultivation system; and Slow rate of transfer of technology from research to farmers Lack of trusted agencies through which services can be obtained (experience of adulteration of agricultural inputs) 6 2 6/4 Pilot scheme for effective training and dissemination of improved agriculture techniques

Pilot scheme for quality service delivery to resource-poor farm households (links to NGOs and private sector delivery agents)

Table 1 (continued)

Priority problems with researchable issues identified in the South-West Coastal Region of Bangladesh (continued) District and village joint priority ranking Bagherhat Khulna Satkhira Suggested research focus

Priority problem (continued)

Marketing Unstable and low market price of paddy 4 6 Farmers profit/interest needs to be protected by improving the marketing facilities and/or by providing credit during harvest; Increasing income diversity through enterprise diversification; and Demonstrate benefits of rice-fish culture (SORJON system) for income diversification. Irrigation Lack of Irrigation water (availability of the irrigable water and cost of equipment) Soil fertility Decline in soil fertility (yellowing of plants were reported due to Zinc deficiency) Lack of credit 6 5 Soil and fertilizer management for nutrient deficiency correction in saline soils Pilot scheme for credit delivery for resource-poor farm households (links to NGOs) 4 Water supply for all the farmers in command area; Standard spacing between wells; and Quality mapping and monitor the fresh ground water recharge pattern

Table 2

Other problems with researchable issues identified in the South-West Coastal Region of Bangladesh District and village joint priority ranking Bagherhat Khulna Satkhira >6 >6 >6 Suggested research focus

Other problems identified

Insect and pest management problem as impediment to increased rice production (esp. Hispa, BPH and stem borer) Unplanned shrimp cultivation by big farmers; Lack of policy for demarcation of land for shrimp cultivation Because of influence of shrimp cultivators small farmers have surrendered land (forceful eviction)

Insect and pest management to increase rice production (esp. Hispa, BPH and stem borer) Impact of low rice production and increasing shrimp production on well-being of women, children (including health) and social stability; Previous knowledge on shrimp versus paddy to formulate new research Environmental management issue Environmental management issue Consequences of introduction of mechanical power versus animal power when cattle heads are reducing Explore the feasibility of improved fodder cultivation in saline area

>6

>6

Siltation of canals and farm lands Decrease in productivity of fish on common property resources Decrease in grazing area due to increased shrimp production and stagnant water resulting in decrease in draught animal for rice cultivation

>6 >6 >6 >6

Introduction
There are two-levels of stakeholder involvement. Firstly, direct beneficiaries, resource-poor farm households, and secondly linkage organisations. This second level of stakeholder involvement concerns the institutional linkages to the primary beneficiaries. PETRRA is an ambitious project that works for SECURING SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS FOR RESOURCE-POOR FARM HOUSEHOLDS. The project is designed to not only benefit these people but to enable them to participate in the PROCESS. To achieve this objective it is critical in this inception phase to establish PROCEDURE. There is the need for DELIBERATE INCLUSION of our client in the planning, research development and uptake of new technologies. From the project document for PETRRA it is clear that the project approach is participatory: Note: 3.3.4 states: Much research will be undertaken at farm level using a systems approach, to ensure that farmers are involved in technology generation and that it is appropriate to their needs. This will allow direct dissemination of results to other farmers in the area. Note: 3.4.19 states: The project will adopt a participatory approach and farmers, women and men, will be involved in all stages of technology development to ensure that the technology is needs based. . . . wherever feasible resource-poor women and men farmers will be involved in all stages of the research to ensure it is demand-led. Stakeholder Analysis at the village, district and thana level underpins the above goal. The village meetings were for villager's participation with the BRRI-BARI team being observers. For District and Thana level meetings, Department of Agricultural Extension, Soil Resources Development Institute, Nongovernment organisations and other key persons participated. It is important to realise that a "single off series of workshop" does not constitute participation. It is the beginning of an iterative process through which relationships will develop and overtime the skills of all participants will improve. This report is the output of a series of seven meetings that took place across three districts in the south- western coastal region of Bangladesh. Nine BRRI scientists, three BARI scientists and the PETRRA Project Manager participated in a weeklong field visit in the districts of Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira during 12-17 November 1999. Three members from the Participatory Research and Action (PRA) Promoters Forum facilitated the meetings. Primary desired outcome was to identify preliminary research priority issues. A secondary outcome was to refine the process of conducting effective stakeholder meetings, an outcome that will assist holding subsequent meetings in the coastal region and other parts of Bangladesh. SW Coastal Region and Site Selection The coastal region has been identified by the PETRRA project as a priority focus area. Regions ecosystem is complex and a large part of this region is affected by salinity and water logging. This region's agriculture is also complex and has not experienced increase in rice production. Among the coastal regions, south -western part was considered for the first round of stakeholder meetings. Three districts of the region were selected as mentioned earlier. A BRRI team along with the project manager of PETRRA visited the area during early October to identify the potential stakeholders and also select villages and venues for the stakeholder meeting. The following locations were chosen for meetings: a. For village level: i) Satkhira: Setpur under Ashasuni Thana ii) Bagherhat: Bachharer hula under under Rampal Thana i) Khulna: on Tipna village but held at the Dumuria BRAC office under Dumuria Thana b. District level meeting at the DAE District Offices

c.

Thana level at the respective Thana complex (however, one Thana level meeting was held for Dumuria while meeting in two other thanas could not be held because of unavoidable problems.

Objective of the Study The objectives of the study were: a. b. c. d. Locating the resource-poor within the institutional context of the region; Locating the rice system within the livelihoods of resource-poor farm households Identifying rice issues and scoping these issues; Prioritising issues through meetings at district level, village level and at thana level; and e. Achieving consensus on priority issues. Methodology The Stakeholders Analysis was done through a participatory process. The study was conducted in three different stages- Consultation with the resource poor farmers, consultation with the district level stakeholders and validation at the thana level. However, workshops could not be organized in two thana due to unavoidable political events. For these two thana, validation was completed at the district level where resource-poor farm households were also present. Resource poor has been defined as the farm households with a Rice Provisional Ability (RPA) or self-sufficiency in rice of only 3-8 months. This definition includes marginal farm households that may be rapidly losing their land due to impoverishment and active small farm households that are maintaining themselves and even marginally increasing their land holding. The village level participants in this first round were limited to those who cultivate some rice. It will be necessary, as village level research begins, to complete consultation with other village level stakeholders (landless who may use common property resources etc). It was recognised that large meetings for this exercise would be unproductive. The meetings were intentionally kept small (see schedule of meetings annex 1). Qualitative research methods were employed. The village meetings were designed to enable outsiders to observe and listen. BRRI and BARI persons were active note takers at the village level, with all discussion being facilitated from village participants. Tools from Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) were selected and used for the study. The tools used were: a) Social Mapping to find out the resources and land types in a village b) Changing Trends to analyse the cropping pattern (now and before situation) including production c) Preference Ranking to know the preference regarding different crops by the stakeholders d) Problem Prioritisation on rice production and (e) Impact flow Diagram on rice production. In addition to these tools, Semi Structured Interviews (SSI) were used to solicit analytical responses against the visual presentations. One of the main objectives of the study was to identify the rice related researchable issues based on the analysis of the rice related problems by different stakeholders. The facilitator group helped review the findings and later a small workshop of the participating scientists identified the researchable issues. The composition of the team (BRRI and facilitators) was unintentionally all male, with a resulting outcome that gender issues were invariably missed. Lessons Learned: Lessons learned from exercises can be classified into following broad based categories. a. Preparation: The stakeholder team need an orientation regarding the process and the tools to be used before they go to the field. The facilitators and the participant scientists should know each other before going to the field. A meeting had been planned for this but due to unavoidable political problems that was cancelled. b. Communication: Persons, who are invited to attend from local agencies, should be informed fifteen days before the actual date of the meeting. They should be aware of the agenda and the time frame. ADAB chapter of the concerned region should be requested to contact the local NGOs working in agricultural programme. Concerned DAE and the local government representatives should be informed beforehand as well.

c.

Methodology & Procedure: A review of process of farm-household selection for village level meeting is necessary. Transect and other possible diagnostic tools can be incorporated to enable the team to be familiar with the village environment. After completing this transect, team members with the help of key informants to select resource poor farm households. The villagers should decide time and place for the meeting so that they can be available for sufficient and uninterrupted period. All the thana agricultural officers should be invited at the district level workshop. Meeting venues needs to be selected carefully so that optimal participation can be ensured. A review of selecting persons for thana level meeting is necessary. It is important to hold briefing sessions for the team members before the meetings are held and a working meeting to be held to finalise the days findings after each meeting. The facilitating team should have maximum four members. Use of secondary data will be useful for the understanding of the environment. Guidelines about the potential participants including gender representation needs to be developed. Younger scientists should be encouraged to participate in the facilitating team while more senior scientists may attend the district meetings as resource persons.

d. Note taking & Reporting: To help follow up on comments each participant can be given a number along their nametag. While taking notes against comments made by the participants the rapourteour can just use the corresponding number. Local terminologies and dialects (at all levels of meetings) should be used while taking notes. One independent note taker can be included in the team to avoid subject bias of participating scientists.

10

District wise Findings

Bagherhat District Bacharer hula village (village-level meeting) Bachharer hula village is located 3 KM away from the Rampal thana head quarter under Bagherhat district in the south west coastal region of Bangladesh. Bachharer hula village is within the Rampal Union Parishad. Union parishad office and thana health complex is located within 1 KM from the village. Two primary schools, one high school and two madrashas are located in this union. Agricultural products of the village are mainly sold in the local market. Agriculture equipments, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides are also bought from the local market although farmers sometimes go to the thana head quarter market. The village has approximately 160 hectares of cultivable land. 10-15% of the village land area is high and 85-90% is low. High land is mainly used for houses and settlements while some are used for vegetable cultivation and tree plantation. It was reported that about 125-150 families lives in Bachharer hula village. Most of the villagers are involved in rice and shrimp cultivation. Changes in last ten years Table 3. Crops grown in different land types in Bachharer hula village at present and ten years ago (village-level meeting) Highland 10 - 15 percent Ten years ago Vegetables, Coconut and betel nut, timber trees, Aus, T. Aman, Sugarcane, Jute, Pulses, Potato, Banana, Papaya Lowland 85 - 90 percent Ten years ago LV Aman,Fish (bagda shrimp, golda, harina, chaka, chali, rui, katla, mrigel, japani puti, silver carp, tilapia, Sesame

Now Vegetables, Coconut and betel nut, timber trees, Pulses, Jute

Now

Fish followed by rice (60 percent), LV Aman (40 percent), Fish ( bagda shrimp, golda, harina, chaka, chali, rui, katla, mrigel, japani puti, silver carp, tilapia

10 years ago nearly 14 types of local varieties of rice were cultivated In Bachharer hula village. Now they have only five local varieties. It is very difficult to find the other varieties now. At present most common local varieties in the area are Arman Sardar (sada mota), Jamai naru, Nonakachi, and Maina mati. The yield was also decreasing day by day. Presently average yield per bigha (0.52 acre) ranges from 2 to 5 mounds. Ten years ago it was 10 to 15 mounds. The villagers reported that they couldnt use fertilizer due to long stagnant water. They can use fertilizer only on 25% of their total cultivated land. Farmers also apply pesticides now. It was informed that ten years ago no fertilizer and pesticide was applied on their land. Varieties of rice available in the area are presented in the table below. Table 4. Varieties of rice grown in Bachharer hula village area (village-level meeting) Modern Variety BR23

Local Varieties1 Arman sordar, Sada mata Jamai naru, Lona kachi, Borjer muri, Horgaja, Chapshail, Moynamoti, Rajashail, Kartik balam, kumra goir, Bashful balam, Bati balam, Kachra, Bashpair, keyaful, Tuloshail,

Rajasail, Jamainaru and Moynamoti varieties used to be cultivated ten years ago and also available now. 11

Resource poor farmers described the following as the major reasons for changes in the crop varieties and production in their locality: Salinity increased ten times in the last 30 years. It has started increasing since the Farrakka dam was constructed in the late sixties Water stagnation and lack of drainage facilities Increase of salt water (bagda) shrimp cultivation Floodplain area has increased due to siltation of rivers and canals, high land is turned into low land Value of the output is less than the cost of production Stagnant water is causing soil erosion shrimp fields hamper beneficial silt deposit in land

The farmers reported that these changes occurred after the construction of Farakka Barrage in India. This barrage restricted the flow of water to Bangladesh river system. They also mentioned the population growth and resultant fragmentation of cultivable land. Hence farmers had to shift their enterprises for alternative income such as shrimp cultivation. Farmers also indicated problems they are facing in rice cultivation.

Problems of Rice Production Participants were asked about their perceived problems in rice production. They narrated the following: Farmers Cannot plough land due to deep stagnant water Cannot apply fertilizers due to the same reason Scarcity of high quality seeds of local popular seed variety sadamota Salinity is damaging rice plants Insect attack Zinc deficiency No interception of sunlight by the soil

Farmers Perception for resolving their problems in rice production At the village level meeting farmers not only discussed the problems of rice cultivation, they also discussed about the possible solutions to those problems. There were three main ideas put forward. Firstly, the construction of polders; secondly, the development of salt tolerant rice varieties and finally the development of an improved drainage system. In the village level workshop a quick survey on preferences for rice and shrimp was taken. If the cultivation of rice with shrimp were possible all participants would cultivate both. However, if there were only one option, which is the case now, 80% would prefer to cultivate rice. It was only the large landowners that would opt for shrimp cultivation. Impact of rice production The farmers indicated the following positive impacts of improved rice-production. While considering the issue the participants reflected on the potential situation at present and also that prevailed fifteen years ago, when there was no shrimp cultivation in the area. Cash crop will be increased along with rice Employment opportunities will be increased Financial crisis will be decreased Poverty will be eliminated Resistance against diseases will be increased Life expectancy will be increased Soil fertility will be improved Cattle grazing will be possible Universal education will be increased

12

Terrorism will be decreased Oppression on women will be reduced Social stability will be strengthened Eco-system will be balanced Communication (mobility via roads) system will be improved

It was apparent in the village that the changes due to the practice of shrimp cultivation along with the poor polder management practices together caused a major decline in quality of life of the resourcepoor farmer. The rice production system has been severely affected by increasing salinity, delay in receding floodwater and the encroachment of shrimp cultivation by large landowners. Farmers are becoming interested to cultivate shrimp because income from per unit land is high compared to other crops, employment opportunities and developing marketing facilities. Village meeting with the farmers came up with the following recommendations: Monitoring the temporal trends in soil and water salinity Development of salt tolerant rice varieties Development of tall and stagnation tolerant rice varieties Quality seeds of the most popular local variety, Arman Sarder, to be produced and distributed. Fertilizer and soil management practice (P & Zn) to be developed. WAPDA polder should be able to prevent intrusion of saline seawater. Alternative and improved Seed bed/ seedlings raising technique to be developed.

13

14

15

District-level meeting In the district meeting, the participants identified the land types and its use pattern. The participants shared their experiences and finally reached a consensus. Table 5. Land types and land use pattern, Bagherhat (district level meeting) Land type and percent area Medium highland (ranked) 30 percent Now Ten years ago T. Aman T. Aman Fish and vegetables Boro Pulses Sesame

Highland (ranked) 20 percent Now Ten years ago Coconut and Coconut and betel nut betel nut Vegetable Pan Betel leaf Vegetable and bamboo

Lowland (not ranked) 50 percent Now Ten years ago Deepwater Deepwater Aman Aman T. A Aman Fish (bhagda, golda, bedki, parsha, rui, catla and kakra) Hogla pata

Mango Banana and timber trees Papaya and bamboo T. Aman Sugarcane, banana, papaya and potato Sugarcane, aus rice, tal, kejur, chilli, mustard, potato, dal, sesame, cucumber, T.Aman Pulses Pumpkin Jute Vegetable, mustard, korolla Similar (except for potol, sweet potato, local raddish, pea and keshari, gimmi kumra, grass on fallow land)

Sugarcane, wheat, corn, Aus, tal, kejur, chilli, mustard, potato, dal, sesame, cucumber, T. Aman

Deepwater aman, B. aus, T.Aus, jute, onion, mustard, potato, sesame, chilli, watermelon.

Local Boro without ploughing the land (25 years ago), flooding tolerant grass, trees

While discussing the changes in cropping pattern and production of different crops at the district level meeting it was mentioned that coconut and betel nut is still number one crop on highland but their production has decreased manifold. Farmers also highlighted in their comments that 10 years ago on medium land they used to get jute but now in most areas jute is not being produced. Mustard and sesame are replaced by some other crops, which has an implication on their livelihood. For example they used to produce jute as a cash crop. They could use its straws for household use, for roof and fencing, and as fuel. And from sesame and mustard they used to get edible oil for household food preparation, they could sell part of it, could use its straws as fuel etc. These changes in cropping pattern have brought a shift in livelihood resources. They also mentioned that ten years ago there was enough grazing land available in low and medium high land area. This was an integral part of the farming system. There was milk for both family consumption and the surplus for sell. Cow dung was plenty for use as fertilizer and fuel. The participants have identified different varieties of rice in different parts of the district, which are shown in the table 6 below. Table 7 gives the five major crops now and ten years ago.

16

Table 6

Rice varieties available in Bagherhat (district level meeting) Rice varieties

B. Aus Kali boro, Dhola boro, Choit boro, Nun choraton

T. Aus BR26, BR14 Bhorsa, BR21

Deepwater Aman Moishkanda Kejur jota Ukichapta kala ghona, digha kumra goir, khaia motor, kumranga Joyna

T. Aman Arman sordar, Jamai naru, Sada mata, Lona kachi, Borjer muri, Horgaja, Chapshail, Moynamoti, Rajashail Kartik balam, Khejur kandia balam, Bashful balam, Batai balam, Kachra, Sholmugur, Hatipajor Bashimoti, Bashipar Gandha kostory, Kalajira, Ranishalut Badshabhog, Naizar shail, BR23, BR11, BR30, BR31, BR22 BR32, Sonarbangla

Local and MV Boro Choit boro, Kali boro, Dhola boro Koaijor, BR26 BR14, BR29 BR28, Alok

Table 7.

Five most important crops being grown in Bagherhat district at present and ten years ago (district level meeting)

Present Situation High Land Vegetables Coconut Betel Leaf Banana Betel Nut Ten Years Ago Coconut Betel Nut Betel Leaf Vegetables T. Aman

Medium Land T.Aman Fish Vegetables Boro Pulses

Low land Rice Fish

T. Aman Pulses Sesame Jute Mustard/ vegetables/ pasture

The farmers mentioned few important reasons for the change in the cropping pattern in the region. Salinity increase Drainage congestion/ Water logging Floodplain area has increased due to siltation of rivers Return is less compared to the cost of production of crops Improved communication network has positively influenced changes for cash crops (fruits and vegetables) Expansion of land area under bagda shrimp cultivation Dissemination of modern technology has impacted the change Knowledge and practice of farming has changed

17

Prioritisation of problems (village and district level combined) Both at the village and district level participants have identified the main problems that had contributed to the present level of rice production. Problems as identified by the participants at both meeting have been prioritised is reflected in the table below. Table 8 Prioritisation of problems as identified and validated by district and village level participants, Bagherhat Village 1 2 District Ranking

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19

Problems Ploughing is not possible due to deep stagnant water Fertilizer application is restricted by deep stagnant water Scarcity of high quality seeds of LIV resulting in only 50 percent germination Lack of supply of HYV quality seed Water stagnation for long duration (Rampal) Only a limited land area available for aman seed bed preparation Soil and water salinity affecting rice plants Zinc deficiency problem (symptoms yellowing of plants) Poor soil aeration due to water logging (soil is not getting enough sunlight) Silt deposition on canal bed and on farm land To many insect infestations Unplanned shrimp cultivation by the big farmers Damping off of seedling disease Gradual increase in salinity content in land and water causing reduced rice productivity; There is a progressive increase in the duration of salinity in the fields during late monsoon; Unstable and low market price of paddy Absence of salinity tolerant variety Slow rate of transfer of technology research results to farmers Lack of appropriate location specific technology Lack of coordination amongst various government and non-government organisations (e.g. BWDB regarding polderisation)

4 5 6

The farmers indicated the lack of supply of HYV quality seed as the number one problem and water logging as the second. Soil and water salinity is ranked as the third problem that affects rice plants. Low and unstable market price, absence of saline tolerant varieties and slow rate of transfer of technology to the farm level was identified as the other major problems. The district level participants gave their opinion concerning rice related problems and suggested the following measures. Construction of polder Development of salt tolerant rice variety (Highly salt tolerant variety is Jamai naru + HYV) Building improved drainage system Strengthening of training and dissemination of information programme for the farmers Strengthening coordination among GO, NGOs and other stakeholders of development Development of rice variety which could be cultivated together with freshwater shrimp ( e.g GOLDA). Development of shorter duration aman variety

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Khulna District Tipna, Dumuria Thana (village-level meeting) The villages Tipna and Okra are located within Kharnia union under Dumuria thana of Khulna district. BRAC of Dumuria organized the meeting. About 27 resource poor farmers attended the meeting from nine nearby villages. The discussion focused on the villages of Tipna and Okra although participants from the adjacent villages actively contributed in the discussion. The problems of the area concerning crops in general and rice in particular were common to all. The village is one km. away from the thana head quarter. Khulna Satkhira highway dissected the village. There is a small market in the village but they also go to other bigger markets in Dumuria and Khulna to sell their agriculture products. There is also an ice factory in the village. The farmers first drew two maps; one for the union and one for Tipna as the reference village. On the resource map of the village they indicated land types, crops grown, major institutions, market, road network, rivers and canals, water bodies etc. They talked about crops grown on different types of land and their significance to their livelihood. The table below shows the different crops grown for each land-type. The crops were then ranked according to their contribution to livelihood. Table 9. Land types and land use pattern of the village Tipna, Dumuria, Khulna Land types and percentage of area under each land type in Tipna and Okra villages Highland 30 percent Crops grown now Rank 1: Vegetables (++) e.g. brinjal, tomato, ladys finger, potato, cauliflower, beans, radish Leafy vegetables Rank 2: Aus(--) Medium highland 50 percent Crops grown Crops grown now ten years ago Rank 1 Transplanted aman (modern) Transplanted local aman Lowland 20 percent Crops grown now Fallow land (75 percent)

Crops grown ten years ago Brinjal, cauliflower, potato, bean and radish

Crops grown ten years ago Local aman

Aus

Rank 2 Boro (modern)

Horticultural crops

Mustard (--), Pulses (-) Jute (-) Horticultural crops (++)

Mustard, Pulses Jute

Rank 3 Shrimp

Rank 1 Transplanted aman (modern) (15 percent) Rank 2 Shrimp (10 percent)

Sesame*

Kalti pat* (LV leafy jute)

Horticultural crops (++) Notes: This area has no salinity problem and vegetable dominates cropping pattern. Part of the union has permanent stagnant water bodies causing problem for crop production. ++ means increased substantially, - - means decreased substantially, - means decreased moderately and * means not existing at all in that land type. All highlands and medium highland are double cropped About 65 percent of the medium high land is used for Boro cultivation 75 percent of the total aman cultivated is HYV and only 25 percent is LV 25 percent of the Boro production is taken away by the pump owners as the water irrigation pump rent 19

Over the last ten years significant change in the cropping pattern has taken place in the area. Vegetable is the most important crop for the farmers now. Good communication network, marketing facility in the nearby large city and good price attracted farmers to go for intensive vegetable cultivation. Horticulture crops have increased significantly. Even on the medium high land farmers are growing horticulture crops, which did not exist a decade ago. Some crops like pulses, mustard, jute, sesame have lost their importance now. Major problems of rice cultivation as indicated by the farmers were: Water logging and drainage congestion problem caused by siltation of rivers creating major problem for cultivation of Aman Lack of irrigation facilities for Boro2, drought causes reduced yield Lack of proper submergence resistant variety for Aman Lack of supply of good quality seed for HYV rice Inadequate supply of fertilizer; artificial crisis is created and the price goes up Lack of preservation facilities of seeds for all types of rice Lack of Knowledge about modern cultivation system Lack of credit facilities Extension facilities provided by DAE is very limited

Possible solution to the problems as recommended by participants: Re-excavation of the rivers and canals; if normal flow could be ensured during high and low tide then problem of water logging could be reduced and better Aman and Boro cultivation could be possible inside the polder Trusted agency through which the services can be obtained at fair price Supply of adequate numbers of STWs for Boro cultivation It is not enough to make farmers aware through radio, TV programmes; they also need hands-on training on use of modern technology and practical aspects of proper seeds selection, proper dozes of insecticides and fertilizer etc. NGO activities should be strengthened Ensure adequate supply of credit at fair rate as BRAC credit is not enough

Advantages and ranking of major enterprises (village level) The major enterprises identified by participants were aus (HYV), aman (HYV), boro (HYV), vegetables and shrimp (not necessarily in order). Advantages of the three rice crops are given in table 10 and the preference ranking of the enterprises in given in table 11

Only 9 percent of the total cultivable land area under Khulna district is irrigated (DAE, Khulna

1999) 20

Table 10.

Advantages of the three major rice crops Aman (HYV) It can be cultivated without irrigation Yield is high Cost of production is low (weeding is not required) Wage rate for the labourers remain low in this season Seed preservation is easy Climatic condition remain conducive and therefore it is easy to take care Boro (HYV) Yield is very high Profit is high

Aus (HYV) It can be cultivated without irrigation Vegetable can be cultivated after the harvest of Aus Production cost is low It is harvested at the time of food crisis Preserved seed from this crop can be used for Boro as well

The varieties of rice grown were: T.Aman (MV): BR10, BR11, BR22, BR23, BR32, BR26, BR28, BR29, BR30, BR32 T.Aman (LV): Ghumci, Ranisalut, Chatai, Balam, Patnai, Bazramuri, Jatai Balam, Kumra, Bazra, Hoglapata, Kaijini, Kazra, Headkumla, Kalmilata, Morisail, Horchos, Patnai Boro (HYV): Pulbachi, Ratna, BR26, BR28, BR29 Table 11. Preference ranking for major enterprises Indicators Highland Vegetables 90 70 0 60 95 80 45 440 2 Medium high and lowland Modern Modern Shrimp aman boro 30 50 95 60 45 75 100 0 75 90 20 10 25 40 5 60 70 20 85 40 10 450 265 290 1 5 4

Cash income readily available Highly profitable Can be cultivated without irrigation Production cost is low Ensures food supply in crisis situation Productivity is high Risk is high Total score RANK Note: high benefit receives a high score

Modern Aus 15 10 90 50 80 40 60 345 3

Preference ranking reflected in the above table might be distorted since indicators were used without relative weighting. Participants were asked to give a second scoring. Each participant rated the importance of each enterprise for his household. The preference ranking changed. In the first ranking aman was the most important but in the second ranking by individual participants made vegetables the most significant enterprise. Table 12. Frequency of ranking, with overall ranking, for five major crop enterprises by farmer participants, Dumuria RANK Vegetable Aman 1 9 5 2 3 9 3 1 0 Final ranking 1 2 Note: 14 farmers participated in voting Aus 0 1 2 4 Boro 0 0 9 3 Shrimp 0 1 2 4

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District-level meeting In the district meeting, comparison and ranking was done on crop enterprises by land type for present, ten and twenty years ago for Khulna. 1980 was considered milestone year because shrimp cultivation commenced that year. The participants considered income contribution of the crops for the resource poor farming household as the basis for their weighting. Participants ranked crops separately for each land type (tables 13-16). Each table contains participants comments on each enterprise. Table 13. Ranking of crop enterprises for highland, Khulna 1999 1 6 5 2 4 3 3 7 4 1990 1 6 5 2 4 3 3 4 1980 1 2 3 4 6 5 3 4

Crops Vegetables Jute Aus Horticultural Crops Sugarcane Spices Oilseeds Flowers Leafy vegetables

Participants identified vegetables as the most important crop on the high land. During eighties jute was the second most important crop but now horticultural crops replaced that. Aus, oilseeds and spices were important crops during eighties; aus is reduced in significance now, but spices and oilseeds remain equally important. Participants gave crop specific comments and reasons for both upward and downward trend of a certain crop. Jute: Low market price along with low demand in commercial use was the cause of decrease in Jute cultivation. Increased production and marketing of polythene bag is also a cause. Vegetable and Fruits: Fruits and vegetables are profitable because of improved transportation facilities. Farmers started shifting towards more intensive commercial crops in response to market opportunity. Increasing consumer demand of vegetable has positive effect in its production. Demand for vegetables and fruits are more now. Farmers are gradually shifting towards vegetable (not on the same land), because they incurred loss in paddy caused by water logging problem in the last decade. Vegetable production has increased on Aus area as well. Horticulture crops: Area under horticulture crop is at increase. Demand and market price of horticulture crop is also increasing. Spices: Cultivation of spices are increasing, it is mainly because of its high market price. Sugarcane: Sugarcane is being grown in the land replacing jute cultivation. Demand and better price of sugarcane has increased over time. Flower: Flower cultivation is introduced as a profitable item, which did not exist a decade ago. Aus: Aus production and cultivation area has decreased; people instead cultivate vegetables because it is more profitable than Aus. HYV Boro: HYV Boro is more profitable than B. Aus hence the farmers prefer to go for it instead of Aus. Oilseed: There is little oilseed cultivation due to the change of environment.

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Table 14.

Ranking of crop enterprises for medium land, Khulna 1999 2 2 1 4 3 7 6 6 5 1980 1 3 5 4 5 2

Crops Fish Shrimp T. Aman (HYV & LV) Boro (HYV + Hybrid) Vegetables Pulses Sugarcane Spices Oilseeds

T. Aman remained the most important crop in the area during last few decades on the medium high land. At present second most important enterprises were shrimp and fish, whereas in the eighties it was oilseed. Vegetable remained the third most important enterprise in recent decades. Shrimp: Bangladesh shrimp products were not exposed to international market before 1980s. The shrimp is more profitable now for those who can invest. Increase in salinity area indirectly created an environment in favour of shrimp. The problem of water logging and salinity was not a major problem in 1980s. Market demand was not that remarkable for shrimp as it is now. The owner of the Ghers (shrimp field) captured the poor farmers land using their influence. A big ecological/environmental change took place in the district with the introduction of shrimp cultivation. Aman (HYV/LV): People of the area are very much dependent on rice. Aman is still considered the number one crop by the farmers. Oilseed (Mustard): Oilseeds are being cultivated less now due to water logging problem. Vegetables: Area under vegetable is increased because of its increasing demand and profitability. Table 15. Ranking of crop enterprises for lowland, Khulna 1999 1 3 3 4 7 5 2 6 2 1980 1 3 3 5 4 4 2

T. Aman B. Aman B. Aus HYV Boro Vegetables Mele/Pati Shrimp Hogla Fish

There are two major changes; the introduction of shrimp as second most important enterprise; which did not exist before 1980. Boro was also not present at that time but now it's ranked number 4. The ranking of transplanted aman, broadcast aman, broadcast aus and fish have maintained a similar ranking compared to earlier. HYV Boro: Irrigation facility has increased slowly. Change in cropping pattern has taken place due to water logging. HYV Boro cultivation is safe and profitable. Boro cultivation has increased due to extension services and availability of modern inputs. HYV Boro was not available in 1980s. Boro is increasing also due to increase in demand for rice consumption. Fish: Capture fish has decreased substantially in the last decade due to inappropriate use of fertilizer and pesticides. Culture fish had to develop to compensate the production loss in capture fish in response of the market. Better price also inspired farmers to go for fish cultivation.

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Shrimp: A special type of net (current jal) is used to catch shrimp fries that affect growth of other fish. Shrimp cultivation is more profitable. Return is very high compared to other crops. Some of the farmers are cultivating shrimp under pressure. Environment is conducive in favour of shrimp cultivation (because of Polder, Salinity, Water logging). Rapid growth of marketing facilities made the enterprise financially attractive. Aman: Aman paddy is still a big attraction for the farmers. Mele/Pati: Though these are minor crops, they bring good income for a large section of the resource poor people. Marketing facilities are also in favour of this enterprise. Table 16. Ranking of crop enterprises for very lowland, Khulna 1999 1 1 3 5 2 4 6 7 8 6 1980 5 1 3 4 2 2 3 5 1 -

Crops Shrimp Fish Water Lily Kalmi lata. Hogla Leaf Mele/Pati Gol Leaf Pani Fal Dhap Veg. Floating rice Snail

Fish has remained an important enterprise for the very low land. But shrimp is an equally important enterprise now. Hogla has maintained its relative importance. B. Aman (floating rice), which was the most important crop during eighties, is no longer cultivated. Water lily is an important crop especially for the resource poor farmers. Jute: Production of jute has decreased substantially. Depth of water on very low land is no more suitable for jute. Rice: Because of saline water in a waterlogged situation, current varieties of rice cannot withstand production. B. Aman floating varieties are disappearing. Seeds of floating rice are difficult to preserve. Rice cultivation is less profitable compared to shrimp/fish on very low land. However, intensive Boro cultivation could compete with the fish interest. Fish/Shrimp: Fish is capturing the area because rice cultivation in the very low land is less profitable. Construction of Polders, salinity, pesticides, water logging all these caused reduction in capture fish availability. Shapla, Hogla - valuable plants for the resource poor - are decreasing fast due to increase in shrimp cultivation area. Use of snails as food for shrimp is causing environmental problem too. The resource poor are being marginalized because of increased shrimp cultivation.

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Prioritisation of rice production problems (village and district level meetings with thana meeting validation) The farmers at the village meeting and other stakeholders at the district identified the problems concerning rice. These problems were then validated and ranked in the thana meeting by joint discussion. Table 17. Problems of rice production as identified by the farmers and other stakeholders Village District Validation 1 2

Problems Water logging due to construction of unplanned WAPDA embankments Lack of knowledge regarding extension facilities available, input sources, input use, seed preservation and selection of correct HYV variety, use of fertilizer and pesticide, cultivation system Lack of credit Availability of seed, fertilizer, irrigation implements Adulteration of agricultural inputs Lack of trusted agencies through which the services can be obtained Lack of appropriate HYV variety that is suitable for stagnant water Salinity Unplanned shrimp cultivation causing problem for rice cultivation Lack of saline resistant variety Productivity of soil is decreasing because of Salinity, water stagnation, imbalanced use of fertilizer, lack of bio fertilizer Profit margin rice is lower than shrimp and vegetables Lack of dissemination of information regarding modern agricultural techniques Natural disasters Pest attack Decrease in grazing area due to increased shrimp production and stagnant water resulting in decreased of draft animal for rice production Lack of policy for demarcation of land for shrimp cultivation Some farmers still prefer local varieties because they are more tasty than the HYVs Because of influence of shrimp cultivators small farmers have surrendered land (forceful eviction) Decrease in productivity of fish on common property resources

5 6 3 4

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Satkhira District Setpur, Ashasun Thana (village-level meeting) The stakeholder analysis of Satkhira District was held in the village Setpur, under Ashasuni thana. The village is 1.5 km. long and 1.5 km. wide and located near a bazar called Budhata. According to participant villagers - 60% land of the village is lowland and locally known as beel and the rest of the land area (40%) is medium-high. Settlements are located on the medium highland. Table 18. Land Type Cropping pattern of the village Setpur according to the land type Cropping season Now Crops Kachu Jute Aus Vegetable Mustard Potato Pulse Vegetable T Aman* Boro** Before Crops Aus Jute Kachu Vegetable Mustard Potato Pulse Vegetable Aman (LV) ---

Medium high

Rainy season

Winter season (rabi)

Rainy season Winter season (rabi) * ,T Aman includes BR-30 (60%), BR-10 (35%) and BR-11 (15%). ** Boro includes IET (75%), BR-28 (10%), BR-29 (10%) & Purbachi (5%).

Low

Proportion (out of 16) 6 4 4 2 8 2 4 2 16 16

Proportion (out of 16) 10 4 1 1 8 2 4 2 16 ---

According to the participants, the low land of the village is now used for boro cultivation although it was not under cultivation a decade ago. Farmers become familiar with the HYV varieties and the irrigation facilities only 10 years ago. Socio-economic condition of the resource poor farmers has changed positively after introducing the boro rice on low land. However, small farmers, who do not have STWs are facing problems in cultivating their boro. The farmers need to give either 25% of their total production or pay Tk. 1000 for a bigha (0.33 acre) to the pump owner for irrigation. Moreover, supply of water is irregular and largely depends on the convenience of the pump owner; resulting in farmers being dependent on the pump owner. In the past, farmers used to cultivate limited varieties of rice on the low land and this was during the wet season. The varieties were all local; for example Patnai/ Pannai, Gourimuri, Barisal, Sitalakhha. The villagers generally sell their products at the nearest market called Budhata, which is 0.5 km. from the village. However, sometimes they sell their products to the traders (locally known as Mahajans ) who collect produce directly from the farm house. According to the farmers of Setpur village boro seed of one year cannot be used in the next year. As a result farmers are always in crisis of seeds for boro in the area. Some farmers cultivate boro variety in aus season and use that as seed in the following boro season. Participants of the village meeting of Ashasuni identified the impact of rice production which is shown in the table 19 below.

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Table 19.

Impact of rice production as indicated by the villagers of Setpur, Ashasuni, Satkhira. Negative Impact The irrigation cost has increased (1/4 of total production is taken away by the pump owner as irrigation cost) Due to the lack of grazing land number of livestock has decreased Soil fertility is declining Water level of ponds/tubewells is decreasing.

Positive Impact Income has increased Production has increased Our physical condition is improved Getting food for the livestock from rice production Opportunity to work, specially for women, has increased Women can buy sharee from their own income Economic condition of the farmers has changed positively Selling labour by resource poor farm households has decreased due to the changes in financial condition Getting two rice crop in a year Can earn Tk.1000 net profit per bigha (33 dec.) Labour cost can be compensated by selling straws Demand for credit has decreased Mental strength has increased.

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District-level meeting In the district meeting at Satkhira the participants were divided into two groups and were requested to prioritise the crops grown in the district at present and ten years ago. Their opinion is presented in the table 20 below. Table 20. Land Type High Crops in different land types and their contribution in livelihood as ranked at district meeting Name of the crops Aus Jute Sugarcane Pulses Mustard Vegetable Fruits Kachu Potato Wheat Onion Garlic Chilli Betel leaf Wheat Aus Aman Boro Vegetable Mustard Pulses Kachu Wheat Onion, Garlic Jute Sugar cane T. Aman Boro Shrimp Kakra Rank (Now) Group 1 2 8 12 4 3 1 7 11 5 10 6 6 9 7 5 2 1 3 3 4 6 7 9 8 5 1 2 3 4 Rank (Before) Group 1 1 2 3 3 4 10 7 6 10 5 5 9 7

Group 2 1 3 6 4 5 2

Group 2 1 (local) 2 6 4 3 5 10

Medium High

Low

1 1 1 2 4 3 --7 --6 --1 --2 ---

2 1 3 4 4 4 7 7 6 5 6 1 2 2 ---

1 1 1 5 3 4 --7 --2 --1 --2 ---

While the participants of Setpur village indicated different types of crops grown in their village, the participants at the district level meeting ranked the crops according to their contribution in livelihood of the farmers living in the district. The table above shows that rice is important in each season. Their contribution now is same as before. However, contribution of some of the other crops, like jute and vegetables has changed over time. The contribution of jute has decreased whereas the contribution of vegetables has increased. Contribution of pulses, mustard, potato and wheat remain at a similar level. The contribution of shrimp in low land remains second, same as 10 years ago. In terms of different types of rice produced, the district level secondary data shows that among Boro varieties BRRI (BR 10,11,28,30) are grown in 51% of land and Indian seed (IET) in 49%. In total T. Aman HYV varieties contribute 90% and LV covers only 10%. The farmers at the district level meeting stated that they get rice from IET within a short duration (<140 days) and the production is 18-20 maunds (37.50 kg) per bigha (0.33 acre). They usually get 15-16 maunds per bigha from the BR28 variety. Farmer/participants gave a preference ranking for the different crops (table 21). Although the table shows the highest score for T. Aus the participants ranked Kachu as the first preference to them. The reason behind this is that kachu is the lean period cash crop. High yield is also a reason for kachu preference. They mentioned jute as both a profitable crop and having many domestic uses. They use jute sticks as firewood and for fencing. However, they produce T. Aus only for the purpose of seed

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preservation, not for consumption. Pulses and mustard are produced only for household consumption, not for sale. Table 21. Preference ranking of different crops (grown in medium high land) by the villagers, Setpur, Ashasuni, Satkhira Score against different crops (out of 100) Kachu Jute T. Aus Mustard 80 25 50 60 25 80 80 90 15 30 90 240 00 40 40 185 90 50 60 330 10 70 35 265

Subject/ indicators High price/profit Can be used for family consumption Seed can be preserved easily Low expenditure/ investment High yield Total score

Pulse 20 100 20 80 35 255

The participants of the district level meeting summarised their observation on the changes in cropping and agricultural production of the district. Cultivation and the area of land used for jute have decreased. Cultivation of Aus as well as land used for Aus has decreased. Cultivation of Boro and use of land for that has increased considerably. Shrimp culture and use of land for that has increased substantially Cultivation and production of vegetables has increased significantly. Cultivation of Mustard and Pulses has decreased. Cultivation of turmeric and chilli has increased. Cultivation of onion and garlic has decreased. Cultivation of fruits (e.g. banana, papaya) has increased. Total production of rice has increased due to the change of variety.

The participants gave their opinion concerning the problems of rice production. The problems were ranked by the participants from both village and district meetings. Important problems come first followed by the less important ones. A summary of problems and their respective rank is presented in the table 22 below. Interestingly, the problems as indicated and ranked by the villagers and as well as the district meeting participants are mostly similar. The most significant problems are lack of appropriate seeds/variety, irrigation facilities and capital, salinity, improper use of fertilizer, insects/pest etc. The participants of the Setpur village stated that lack of capital effects proper use of different types of fertilizers. The commonly used fertilizers are urea, TSP and MP. Sometimes they use only black fertilizer because it is cheaper than the others. Their lack of knowledge is also another reason for improper use of fertilizer. The participants in the village as well as in the district meeting mentioned that due to expansion of boro cultivation in low land, the grazing area had decreased which resulted in the decrease of cattle head indirectly. Due to lack of cow dung the farmers cannot use organic fertilizer on their land. The participants of the village also mentioned that lack of appropriate variety seeds their production is not increasing as per expectation. Due to the salinity in the low land, crop failure is a common feature of the area.

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Table 22.

Problems concerning rice production as identified and ranked by the farmers and the participants in the district meeting Shetpur village Rank 2 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Chapra village Rank 1 2 4 3 5 5 District level (2 groups) Rank 1,1 3 V 4,5 4 6,7 2,2 7

Problems Lack of appropriate variety Lack of good seed Lack of capital Lack of Irrigation facilities (availability and cost) Unbalanced use of fertiliser Frequent crop damage by Insects & pests Salinity Lack of fair price of rice Burning of rice plants (Zinc deficiency) Rats attack Natural disasters Water logging problem Soil fertility decreasing Lack of skilled labour at the period of necessity Lack of scientific knowledge on modern cultivation system Lack of electricity for irrigation

9,8 8,3 5 10 6

11

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After identification of the problems, the participants in the district meeting indicated the causes of those problems from their experiences. Table 23. Problems Salinity Causes of different problems as indicated by the participants at District meeting Causes The river water-flow has decreased The sea level is going up No ways available to protect saline water Increasing trend of temperature. Lack of saline tolerant variety Lack of knowledge on seed preservation and cultivation Lack of capital and knowledge Unavailability of fertiliser in time Inadequate use of organic fertiliser. Construction of unplanned dams Lack of proper drainage system Shrimp cultivation. Salinity in water Lack of pumps and lack of credit support to procure that by the farmers High rate of water charged by the pump owners Decreasing trend of water level Unbalanced use of pesticides High price of pesticides Lack of knowledge. Involvement of skilled labourers in other activities such as shrimp cultivation due to high wage rate. Geographic location of the area Environmental degradation. Lack of education and dissemination Unplanned use of chemical fertiliser No use of organic fertiliser Lack of capital. Farmers cannot keep rice for long to get good price because they pay off credit immediately after the harvest.

Lack of appropriate variety/seeds Unbalanced use of fertiliser

Water logging

Lack of irrigation facilities

Diseases and insects

Lack of skilled labourers at the period of need Natural Disaster Lack of scientific knowledge Decreasing trend of soil fertility

Lack of fair price of rice

Although it was found that the cropping pattern of the area has changed over the years, the participants have confirmed the increasing trend of rice production. The farmers of Setpur village stated that the total production cost per bigha rice production is Tk. 2,500, which they can sell for Tk. 4,000.

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ANNEX 1 Stakeholder Analysis Meetings for SW Coastal Region (November 14-17th, 1999) Sequence of meetings and membership in Region

It was recognised that large meetings for this exercise would prove unproductive. There will be several levels of meeting to ensure inputs from major stakeholders. To cover the region there will be concurrent meetings in each of the three districts of Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira. a. Depart for Khulna Saturday 13th. b. Day 1 Sunday 14th: At the village level for participation of the resource-poor farm households. (There will be about 20 persons from the selected village). Day 2 Monday 15th: At the district level meeting for stakeholders from DAE, NGOs, Research Institutions, key DAE farmers and private sector. The members will be about 1520. Members will be DAE (5 with one TAO from the Thana for final meetings), BRRI (3), Key farmers (5), NGOs (one representative from each), Private sector (1), BINA (1), SRDI (1), BARI (1), Local Government (1), Khulna University (1).

c.

d. Day 3 Tuesday 16th: At the thana level there will be meetings that brings together the findings from the District and Village level meetings. This will comprise 5-6 members from the District level meeting and 5-6 members from the village level meeting. In addition to BRRI scientists, members from respective meetings will be identified during meetings. e. Day 4 Wednesday 17th (morning): Meeting of three teams at Khulna to bring together and compare outcomes, summarise and review process. Depart for Dhaka Wednesday 17th (afternoon).

f.

Prepared: Saturday November 6th, 1999

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