Intensification of waterlogged fallow land through growing water chestnuts in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study has assessed the impact of small scale commercial water chestnut cultivation on farmers’ livelihood in the seasonal waterlogged areas of Jamalpur district in Bangladesh. Both purposive and multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select 120 water chestnut growers for the present study. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings of the study revealed that on an average 67% of the total cost was involved for human labour followed by land use (14%), insecticides (7%) and seedlings (4%), respectively. The average yield of water chestnut was found to be 9.77 ton per hectare. The average profit and gross margin was estimated at BDT 63,122.35 and BDT 76,927, respectively. The production cost of water chestnut/kg was BDT 8.94 and return was BDT 15.40. It was also observed that all kinds of livelihood assets of the selected farmers increased significantly through commercial water chestnut farming. According to farmers’ assessment, lack of scientific production techniques, high infestation of insect pest especially red crab, siltation by river erosion, buyers syndicate and low output price were found the major hindrance in the study areas. Farmers cultivate water chestnut for utilizing waterlogged fallow land, it’s easy growing, and additional income and to generate year-round employment opportunity.