Income increases for new land use patterns
Says study
Considering the all land use patterns, the annual income of farm households has increased in Bangladesh over the years due to changing land use patterns, according to a study.
The study says regardless of land use patterns, annual income per household was Tk 205,127, which is higher than national average of Tk 86,436 (HIES, 2007). Among the farm household under different land use pattern, shrimp farmers income was relatively higher compared to other sample farmers.
Some 14 land use patterns were selected during the study period.
Ninety three percent of sampled farm households reported that quality and choice of food items increased under changing land use patterns.
Under this circumstance, it implied that farm income, crop yield, supply of food, choice of taking different food items, nutritional status, educational status, and employment opportunity of farm households and finally the food security increased under changing land use patterns.
National Food Policy Capacity Strengthening Programme (NFPCSP) with the support of the European Union and USAID conducted the study titled 'Changing Land Use Patterns and Their Impact on Food Security for Farm Households in Bangladesh.'
After changing land use pattern, most of the farm families can meet the doctors for their treatment and health care. There had been a noteworthy improvement in communication facilities of farm households in the study areas.
The study shows that there was a direct relationship between the family size and size of the holding of farm households. Large farmers had relatively larger family size (5.75 persons) followed by medium (5.65 persons), small (4.91 persons) and marginal farmers (4.76 persons).
It is found that the selected new land use patterns have contributed a lot to increase household income of the farmers. In fact, they are enjoying better livelihoods than ever before due to following these new land use patterns.
The study reveals that average daily per capita calorie intake (2439 Kcal) and protein intake (63.84 grams), which were slightly higher than the national average.
Food intake was relatively higher, as expected, for large and medium farm households and for higher income group households compared to small and marginal farm households and those of lower income groups.
The study indicates that rice is still the staple food item of the rural people in Bangladesh followed by vegetables, potato, milk and meat.
The study recommended taking positive steps to improve food intake of small and marginal farmers under the circumstances.
It was suggested that more farmers should be encouraged to follow these land use patterns for earning higher farm income and ensuring food security for farm households in Bangladesh.
Principal Investigator of the study Prof M Serajul Islam told the news agency that consumption of rice was similar before and after changing land use patterns. Frequencies of consumption of ruti (crushed wheat) and dal have decreased after changing land use patterns while frequencies of consumption of vegetables, meat, fish, egg, fruit and milk in a year have increased.
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