Moving to conservation agriculture: (1) evidence of rhizome crops performance in existing agroforestry practices of Madhupur Garh, Bangladesh

Abstract

The continuous practice of mono-cropping by small-scale farmers in Bangladesh has resulted in poor soil quality and declining crop yields. As a result, there is a growing need to explore sustainable production methods that are resource-efficient and environmentally friendly. Conservation agriculture has emerged as a beneficial approach that effectively addresses these challenges by utilizing locally available resources to enhance crop productivity and soil quality. With this in mind, the objective of this study was to assess the impacts of conservation agricultural practices on the growth and yield of ginger and turmeric in the Madhupur Garh of Bangladesh. The study was conducted in the Auronkhola, Gaira, Makontonagar in Madhupur district, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications from July to September 2022. Ginger and turmeric were selected for the trial. The results showed that these spices exhibited significantly higher yields (6090 kg/ha and 11370 kg/ha, respectively) compared to traditionally cultivated vegetables in the farmers' fields. The implementation of conservation agriculture practices contributed to the improved yields. As part of conservation agriculture practices, various factors crucial for crop production, such as soil organic matter content, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium levels, and pH, were positively influenced. This was achieved through the use of organic manure, minimal tillage, the retention of permanent crop residues, and crop rotation. Based on the findings, the study concludes that traditional agriculture must transition to conservation agriculture methods in order to achieve increased food production while utilizing fewer resources and minimizing negative environmental impacts. This shift towards conservation agriculture offers a more efficient and sustainable approach to farming.