PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF ORGANIC FARMING IN RAJSHAHI DIVISION, BANGLADESH Susma Kandel Bachelor’s thesis May 2018 Energy and Environmental Engineering ABSTRACT Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu Tampere University of Applied Sciences Degree Programme in Energy and Environmental Engineering 14 IDEE Susma Kandel: Prospects and Challenges of Organic Farming in Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh Bachelor's thesis: 36 pages, appendices 4 pages May 2018 The main objective of this study was to gather information about the prospects and chal- lenges of organic farming in Rajshahi division, Bangladesh, which is one of the commer- cialised divisions with excellent road, communication, water supply and transport infra- structure. The method used was qualitative research based mainly on data and information collected from the internet. The data sources were journals describing case studies as well as reports from official websites of Bangladesh. Additionally, interviews were taken from the thesis assigner itself, from a person of local NGO and from some people of Rajshahi division, Bangladesh. Based on data analysis, prospects and challenges of organic farming in the studied area were assessed. The results showed opportunities rather than constraints of organic farm- ing in Rajshahi division, Bangladesh. The awareness percentage among the people re- garding organic farming is 70% which is high. A constructive action plan is suggested as a result of this work that would help to solve the problems of organic farming in the target territory. Findings of this research showed that organic farming has been a profitable enterprise in in the area. However, to ensure long-term of organic farming possibility and to increase the number of organic farms, several actions need to be considered. Firstly, vermicom- posting or poultry manure need to be used to maintain the fertility of soil. Secondly, strict policy and action need to be implemented on national level to promote organic farming. Thirdly, strong collaboration of the farmers with the organic seed suppliers should be made. Fourthly, farmers should be inspired with successful stories about organic farming. Key words: Organic Farming, Vermicomposting, Territory, Action Plan, Components 3 CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 6 1.1 Background information of the study ........................................................ 7 1.2 Target territory at a glance ......................................................................... 7 1.3 Components of organic farming ................................................................ 9 1.3.1 Crop Rotation ................................................................................ 11 1.3.2 Crop residue .................................................................................. 11 1.3.3 Organic manure ............................................................................. 11 1.3.4 Absence of artificial chemicals ..................................................... 12 1.4 Differences between organic farming and conventional farming ............ 12 1.5 Present situation of organic farming in the target territory ...................... 14 2 AIMS OF THIS WORK .................................................................................. 16 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS .................................................................... 17 3.1 Location of study area .............................................................................. 17 3.2 Research questions ................................................................................... 18 3.3 Data collection ......................................................................................... 19 3.4 Interview .................................................................................................. 19 3.5 Data Analysis ........................................................................................... 21 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ..................................................................... 22 4.1 Organic farming awareness and market trends ........................................ 22 4.2 SWOT analysis of target territory ............................................................ 23 4.3 Prospects of organic farming in the territory ........................................... 24 4.3.1 Organic products or foods Awareness .......................................... 25 4.3.2 Cheap labor market ....................................................................... 25 4.3.3 Availability of water supply .......................................................... 26 4.3.4 Logistics support ........................................................................... 27 4.3.5 Good Transport facilities............................................................... 28 4.3.6 Expanding local markets due to urbanization ............................... 28 4.3.7 Agro-based industry ...................................................................... 28 4.3.8 Overseas export opportunities ....................................................... 28 4.3.9 Supportive involvement of local governments and NGOS ........... 29 4.4 Major challenges of organic farming in Rajshahi Division ..................... 30 4.5 Action plan ............................................................................................... 31 5 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................... 34 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................... 35 APPENDICES ...................................................................................................... 38 4 Appendix 1. Interview 1: Entrepreneur of organic farm in Rajshahi, Division, Md. Ataur Rahman .................................................................................. 38 Appendix 2. Interview 2 with Area Manager of PROSHIKA Rajiul Islam a NGO, Rajshahi Branch ............................................................................ 41 5 ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMS OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development NGO: Non-Government Organization WASPA: Wastewater agriculture and sanitation for poverty alleviation STW: Shallow tube wells SRDI: Soil Resource Development Institute (Bangladesh) IFOAM: International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements BARI: Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute PROSHIKA: Proshikkhan Sikkha Karmo (Training, Education, Action, Bangladesh) BRDB: Bangladesh Rural Development Board SWOT: Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat Novo Krishi Andalan: New Agriculture revolution FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization DAE: Department of Agriculture Extension 6 1 INTRODUCTION During the last few decades, organic farming has been popular around the world.It has been dramatically establishing its prior significance in the modern society. In addition to this, its influence and importance is growing in the livelihoods of human and nature. The concept of organic agriculture began in the early part of 20th century. Growth of organic farming has largely been led by the increasing demand from consumers of mostly devel- oped countries throughout the world (Sac, 2015). In many countries, organic agriculture is placing its movement in the “mature phase” of development, integrated as one of the path of agriculture. According to the researchers, field experiment organic agriculture practices are broadly more environmentally friendly than conventional agriculture. Eventually it has become preferable in agriculture sector and widely acceptable agricultural practices. It is obvious to say that, there is no better alternative of organic products in the present perspective of health-conscious society till date (Stephen et al. 2003). Bangladesh is densely populated country with more than 160 million people and there is huge demand of convenient goods. Due to the huge demand of agricultural products, the farmers started practicing chemical fertilization to meet the domestic demand after the Second World War. Due to the fact, people are experiencing so much health problems which is now a big national concern and because of that organic products are desired. There are several organizations along with NGOs are being involved in making awareness regarding organic practices and motivating the potential farmers in Bangladesh. (Sac, 2015.) 7 1.1 Background information of the study 1.2 Target territory at a glance Rajshahi is one of the major commercial territory of Bangladesh located on the mid-west- ern corner of the country. Rajshahi division is one of the six administrative divisions of Bangladesh and it is divided into 8 districts, whereas mostly targeted districts are Rajshahi, Nawabganj and Naogaon. The area with around 18million population which covers 24% of entire population of the country referred to (table 1). (WASPA, 2006). And it is characterized by cheap labor force as well (Banglapedia, 2015). 8 Table 1. Rajshahi division characteristics are presented (Banglapedia, 2015) Divisions Area (Sq City Dis- Sub-Dis- Munici- Population Densit Literac km) corpo- tricts tricts pality Urba Rur y (Sq y ration n al km) (Rate %) 18174,4 1 8 70 35 2,8 13,6 1050 68 m m Districts Names Area Sub- Municipali Populati Density Literac (Sq distric ty on (Sq km) y km) ts (Million) (Rate %) Joypurha 965,44 5 3 0,90 877 54 t Naogaon 2435,6 11 2 2,4 696 63 7 Nawabga 1702,5 5 3 1,5 838 75 nj 6 Natore 1896,0 6 4 1,6 803 70 5 Pabna 2371,5 9 8 2,2 917 60 0 Bogra 2898,2 12 5 3,1 1042 58 5 Rajshahi 2407,0 13 6 2,3 950 79 1 Sirajgonj 2497,9 9 4 2,7 1845 56 2 9 The agricultural land of Rajshahi division is 1,276,861 hectares which has been referred from (Table 2). Medium and large sized holdings area are under the Naogan and Na- wabganj territory mentioned as the number 8 at (Table 2). Rajshahi districts area is rep- resented by Medium sized farm holding area mentioned at the following (Table 2) as number 7. The main sources of income is agriculture which is 60.36 % (Banglapedia, 2015).The division is well known for its agricultural contribution such as fruits, fisheries, vegetables and rice (SRDI, 2013). Table 2.Characteristic of holdings classified by Area size for Rajshahi division (Census of Agriculture, 2008) Items Non-farm Holdings Farm holdings by areas and size All With With no With 0.01- Small Me- Large Total hold- no op- culti- 0.04 acre dium farm ings erated vated Cultivated hold- 0.05- 2.5- 7.5 + area area area ings 0.49 7.49 acre Acre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 The use of shallow tube wells (STW) was found in Rajshahi division which is used for irrigation purposes and has intensified in agriculture. (Hossain., 2015). The target terri- tory is geographically located in a most lucrative commercial place with availability of all the possible resources needed for establishing an organic farm. The area is mostly convenient for the transportation and easily connected with other major cities including Dhaka which is capital city of Bangladesh. 1.3 Components of organic farming After the introduction of chemical fertilizers in the later parts of the 1800s in Europe and the USA, the organic farming movement arose over the concern of degrading quality in crops with an increase in diseases and pest attacks yields. Based on the published research of chemicals fertilizers of Sir Humphrey Davy and Justus von Liebig were the key found- ers of this theory and published their ideas in Elements of Agricultural chemistry and organic chemistry as well as its implementation to agriculture. The first modern chemist Baron Justus Von Liebig was taking a look in the growth of plant in his laboratory and 10 decided that plants needed minerals from the soil and carbon dioxide from the air .He displayed that whereas plants are also encompassed by the nitrogen in the air, actually they needed nitrogen in the form of ammonia in which roots absorbs and took up to other parts of plants. According to Liebig findings it showed that nitrogen was the most essen- tial mineral and demonstrate that the synthetic chemical fertilizers could replace natural ones such as animal manures as the source of nitrogen. Liebig’s research radically changed the path of agriculture and became the basis of conventional agriculture that is practiced around the world. (Sac 2015, 24-27.) To rise and develop the roots of Organic agriculture one must follow the principles of Organic agriculture which is presented at following (Table 3). These principles convey the input that organic farming can make to the world, and a vision to enhance the organic farming in the global context for the well-being of nature and human beings. According to IFOAM, these principles apply to organic farming in broad sense compiling on how people looks soils, water plants and animals to produce, prepare and distribute foods and other goods. (IFOAM, 2018). Table 3. Principles of Organic farming (Sac, 2015) Principles of Organic Agriculture Description Principle of Health Organic agriculture should sustain and en- hance the health of soil, animals, plants, humans and planets as one an indivisible Principle of Ecology Organic agriculture is based on the living ecological systems and cycles, work with them emulate them and help sustain them Principle of Fairness Organic agriculture should build on the re- lationships that ensure the fairness to com- mon environment and life opportunities Principle of Care Organic agriculture should be guided in a responsible manner and being careful to protect the health and well-being of cur- rent and future generation and the environ- ment