Abstract
The present study was undertaken in the Northwest of Bangladesh to measure the technical and economic efficiency, and sustainability of wheat production systems. Both primary data from farmers field and secondary data from BBS reports were collected for this study. Different forms of multiple regression models were used to analyze the data. Sensitivity analysis was done for examining stability of the profitability results. And marginal analysis was done to document the different options for sustainable technologies.
At farm level, adopted wheat production technologies were not up to the recommended level. Yield variability was found among the farmers due to flexibility of timing of irrigation and urea application, and sowing period of wheat. Fields with higher yields received more cowdung, urea, TSP, irrigation water and optimum seeding time. The production function for wheat farms was found with decreasing returns to scale and the farmers allocated their resources in the rational stage of production (Stage II). The multiple regression analysis indicated that there were possibilities to increase wheat yield by efficient use of urea, TSP, manure and irrigation water with optimum seeding time.
The mean farm specific technical efficiency of wheat growers were 0.88 and 0.69 at Dinajpur and Rangpur, respectively. So there is ample scope to increase the farmers' income and wheat yield by adopting the technologies adopted by the frontier farmers. The frontier farmers received higher yield by following optimum seeding time, using more urea, TSP, gypsum, manure and applying more frequently irrigation water with modest use of seed rate, and human labour at both the sites.
Boro rice produced the higher yield (5.05 t/ha) and gross return (Tk. 28,421/ha) compared to wheat yield (2.29 t/ha) and return (Tk. 20,253/ ha). But due to higher variable cost of Boro, gross margin was low (Tk. 8,146/ ha) compared to wheat (Tk. 9,342/ ha). Five wheat-based and one Boro-based patterns were followed by the sample farmers. Wheat-based patterns exhibited better economic performance than Boro-based pattern.
During the period from 1976 to 1999, the growth rates of area, production and yield of wheat in Bangladesh were 5.47, 6.02 and 0.55 percent, respectively. The growth rates were increased during 1976 to 1985 and remained stagnant after 1985 and again increased after 1995. Regression analysis showed that with the increase of irrigated area and modern varieties, and harvest time price of previous year, wheat yield increased. But yield was decreased with the increase of heavy rainfall, and temperature.
The study revealed that for sustaining wheat yield, use of power tiller-operated seeder (PTOS) had promising performance. The PTOS ensured timely seeding by reducing turn around time (TAT). It produced 20 % higher yield and reduced cost by about Tk. 2,527/ha compared to conventional device. Additional gross margin of Tk. 6,948/ha was obtained from PTOS over conventional.
Experiment on different options for sustainable wheat cultivation systems was conducted at farmers' field. Continuous six years' experimental results showed that ten tonnes farm yard manure with 75% of recommended fertilizers for wheat and rice were the best combination of fertilizer which yielded sustainable and higher yield and provided more economic returns over investment (1120% MRR). Long-term organic and inorganic fertilizer management experiment showed that rice-wheat yield were not declined over long-run period by using higher or recommended doses of fertilizers. And wheat- Jute- T. Aman cropping pattern produced the sustainable yield as well as economic returns over investment.
Seed enrichment programme by loading micronutrient is a new dimension of wheat research in Bangladesh. The highest yield effect (9% higher over control) and economic returns (320% MRR) was found by using complete micronutrient enriched seed with variety Shatabdi followed by treatment of normal kanchan seed with complete micronutrient application as basai. The effect of liming and nutrient use on wheat yield in acidic soil study under rice-wheat cropping systems showed that one tonne lime with only recommended NKS application maximized the returns over investment on rice-wheat crops (3500% MRR) and produced sustainable yields.
The future production of wheat in Bangladesh is likely to increase to 1.896, 2.137 and 2.378 million tonnes respectively in 2005, 2010 and 2015 and the corresponding yield are expected to be 2.07t/ha, 2.12 t/ha and 2.16 t/ha. This sustainability of production will be possible to continue by covering more land under wheat as well as increasing yield by adopting modern wheat cultivation technologies at farm level.
There were many socioeconomic and biophysical factors, which hindered the higher production and yield of wheat. The major ones were: late sowing, higher price and spot-scarcities of quality seed, inefficient marketing systems and low price of wheat during harvesting period, labour and draft power shortage during peak season, imbalance and improper use of fertilizers, lack of technical know how of the farmers. Recommendations were made to improve and sustain the wheat production situation further. Farmers' knowledge and consciousness about new variety 'Shatabdi', improve wheat management practices including liming and seed enrichment technology need to be upgraded by strengthening extension programme, disseminating information through radio, television, posters, leaflets, and farmers' orientation/ short term trainings. Private entrepreneurs' participation under the guidance of WRC/ CIMMYT would help proliferation and propagation of PTOS, power thresher and reaper.