South Asia Water Studies Journal
Table 4. Diversification of agricultural crops in Dacope upazila Crop Year 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
Boro rice Land area(ha) Crop yield (ton) Land area(ha) Crop yield (ton) Land area(ha) Crop yield (ton) Land area(ha) Crop yield (ton) Land area(ha) Crop yield (ton) Land area(ha) Crop yield (ton)
755 1844 130 407 85 302 55 215 30 126 65 264
Source: Agriculture Office, Dacope upazila, Khulna
Sunflower 0 0 0 0 5 2 15 10 45 50 90 135
Sesame 2 2 2 2 19 15 40 34 16 13 20 14
Watermelon 300 1,26,000 800 37,655 1326 46,908 2125 10,200 2500 61,500 2360 63,965
3.2.3 Better decision-making From individual discussions with farmers, it was found that shrimp cultivation in the rabi season had resulted in a reduction of the next monsoon season’s aman rice production. This had compelled them to shift to crop production instead of shrimp cultivation during the rabi season. During selection of rabi crops, they had to face the greatest challenge whether to grow rice or cash crops in the season. In this case, the amount of irrigation water is the controlling factor. Analysis of field information showed that the irrigation water requirement for sunflower was 190 mm with two or three irrigations throughout the growing period and the yield proved to be 1.38 t/ha. Farmers also informed that no irrigation was required for cultivation of sesame and the yield appeared to be 0.33 t/ha. In contrast, the irrigation water requirement for boro rice was 1080 mm with irrigation at an interval of seven days for the entire crop growth period and a yield of 5.30 t/ha. Most farmers decide to grow non-rice crops during the rabi season because no irrigation water is required for those, or only a small amount, compared to rice. Obviously, if they can store sufficient water in existing canals and on farm reservoirs, they will be able to cultivate boro rice during the dry season. During field visits, it was observed that some farmers had already constructed reservoirs within their farmlands to store rainwater during the monsoon. The Bangladesh Water Development Board is working in the study area for re-excavation of the existing canals. These activities have already resulted in increased crop production in the rabi season. Moreover, crop cultivation in the rabi season depends on the level of soil and water salinity. Farmers decided to grow crops at Electrical Conductivity (EC) of 4.0 dS/m of soil and to keep fallow land at EC of soil 10.0 dS/m before sowing. Their decision-making process has been illustrated in Figure 5. 37