Abstract
Coastal ecosystem is characterized by salinity which restricts optimum utilization of natural
resources (particularly, land and water) for crop production in 13 coastal districts of
Bangladesh covering about 0.83 million hectares. In order to increase crop productivity and
improving livelihoods of resource-poor coastal farmers, optimization technique (LP) has
been used in this study to explore potentialities of increasing farm income through optimum
utilization of existing resources. In this connection representative farm models for small,
medium and large farms have been developed using LP technique based on data collected
from 200 farm households selected using stratified random sampling method. Optimum
plans showed a misallocation of existing farm resources for all the three farm size
categories and indicated considerable scope for increasing farm income as well as
employment opportunities by reallocating the existing resources. Further, sensitivity
analyses were performed on the results of the models to test how sensitive is the farm
income with respect to changes in availability of suitable irrigation water (non-saline) with
and without cash capital constraints. Results of alternative suitable water availability
revealed that increased suitable water (20% and 40%) availability with restricted and nonrestricted capital would increase cropped area and input use for all types of farms in the
study areas, which would lead to increase both crop production and farm income. On the
other hand, decreased suitable water (20%) would sharply reduce uses of land and inputs
for all types of farms, which would drastically decrease crop production as well as farm
income. Model results indicate that response to restricted and non-restricted cash capital is
higher in less saline Jalma area and among farms; small farms are more sensitive to cash
capital and water availability. Model results also indicate that increased suitable water with
non-restricted cash capital would significantly improve the resource use, farm income and
employment on all types of farms in all locations. The research highlights that the
government should continue to maintain a policy environment that favors credit facility to
the farms particularly the small farms. The study also emphasizes both public and private
sector investment for development of infrastructure to provide suitable irrigation water
availability for crop production. Agricultural extension workers may also assist the farmers
for better allocation of farm resources. In general, policies should be taken to promote
judicious management of water and training to the farmers for better understanding of on
farm level water management for efficient utilization of existing scarce resources and thus
increase the crop productivity in the coastal region of Bangladesh.