West Bengal, IndiaSW& SC Bangladesh
Patuakhali STU
Polder 43/2/F
Polder 30
Polder 3
North 24 Parganas
South 24 Parganas
Andy Nelson
“LOW SALINITY”• Water “stagnation” 30-50 cm
several weeks in aman• River water fresh year-round• Mild soil salinity in dry season
“MEDIUM SALINITY”• Water “stagnation” 30-50 cm
several weeks in aman• River water saline mid-Feb-
Jun• Medium soil salinity in dry
season
“HIGH SALINITY”• Water “stagnation” 30-50
cm several weeks in aman• River water saline Dec-Jul• High soil salinity in dry
season
Objectives (5+1)1. Rice variety evaluation• aus (early rainy season) - low, medium• aman (main rainy season) - low, medium & high salinity • boro (dry season) - low, medium2. Rice-based cropping system intensification• Rice-rice-rice – low; rice-rice medium• Rice-rice-rabi – low; rice-rabi medium• Rice+fish - brackish water aquaculture - high3. Homestead production systems analysis & options• literature review & surveys - low, medium, high• evaluation of options for increasing productivity, incomes4. Year-round brackish water aquaculture systems - high• Evaluation of improved management options5. Technology & policy recommendations6. Pilot community water management – CPWF Innovation Grant• 6 ha “compartment”
3
7
Liz – BgdSukanta - Ind
1. Improving rice–based agricultural cropping systems
Saha – BgdAshutosh - Ind
2. Improving year-round aquaculture & rice-aquaculture systems
Manoranjan 3. Community water management pilotKabir 4. Women-led participatory action research –
homestead production systems
Today’s presentation
Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Traditional Rice (2-3.5 t/ha)
Sesame, Keshari0.5-1.0 t/ha)
Traditional Rice (2-3.5 t/ha)
……........Fallow…………………...
....Fallow……
8
Predominant agricultural cropping systems in the low & moderately saline regions of the coastal zone of Bangladesh
9
With improved water management, varieties & intensification we have achieved the following
…..on-farm…..in the polders
Boro (140-145 d)1 May
20 July
1 Aug
25 Nov
5 Dec
5 Apr
T. Aman (130-140 d)
Aus (100-105 d)
M J J A S O N D J F M A M
10
Cropping system intensification for low salinity areas1. Aus-aman-boro (~16 t/ha)
HYVShort durationSalt tolerant
HYVMedium durationSubmergence tolerantWater stagnation tolerant
HYVMedium duration“Early” sowing
Successfully implemented on-farm for 2 years – 7th crop – polder 43/2F
10 Apr 30 June
10 July
15 Nov 1 5AprRabi (130-140 d)
1 Dec T. Aman (130-140 d)
Aus (100-105 d)
A M J J A S O N D J F M A
11
Cropping system intensification for low salinity areas2. Aus-aman-rabi (~10 t/ha rice + 8 t/ha maize OR 3 t/ha sunflower etc)
HYVShort durationSalt tolerant
HYVMedium durationSubmergence tolerantWater stagnation tolerant
HYVMaizeSunflower, Water melonChilli etc.
Successfully implemented on-farm for 2 years – 7th crop – polder 43/2F
Boro (140-145 d)
20 July
1 Aug
25 Nov
5 Dec
5 Apr
T. Aman (130-140 d)
M J J A S O N D J F M A M
12
Cropping system intensification for medium salinity/water short areas1. Aman-boro (~9 t/ha)
HYVMedium durationSubmergence tolerantWater stagnation tolerant
HYV“Early” sowingCold tolerant
Successfully implemented on-farm – polder 30
10 July
15 Nov 1 5AprRabi (130-140 d)
1 Dec T. Aman (130-140 d)
A M J J A S O N D J F M A
13
Cropping system intensification for medium salinity areas2. Aman-rabi (~5 t/ha rice + 7 t/ha maize, 2-3 t/ha sunflower etc)
HYVMedium durationSubmergence tolerantWater stagnation tolerant
HYVMaizeSunflower, Water melon etcChilli etc.
Water mgt ingredients for a Green Revolution in the Polders
1. Separation of lands of higher & lower elevation (mini-water mgt units)
Prevent accumulation of drainage in lowlands – enable cultivation of rice/HYV
14
River
Sluicegate
Drainage outlet
Road
Rural road
Canal(khal)
Drainage canal
6 ha pilot water management unit on polder 30
15
Water mgt ingredients for a Green Revolution in the Polders
1. Separation of lands of higher & lower elevation (mini-water mgt units)
Prevent accumulation of drainage in lowlands – enable cultivation of rice/HYV
2. Strategic drainage during the rainy season
Enables cultivation of HYV & earlier harvest (mid-Nov)
16
Water mgt ingredients for a Green Revolution in the Polders
1. Separation of lands of higher & lower elevation (mini-water mgt units)
Prevent accumulation of drainage in lowlands – enable cultivation of rice/HYV
2. Strategic drainage during the rainy season
Enables cultivation of HYV & earlier harvest (mid-Nov)
3. Drainage shortly before aman harvest (early Nov)
Enables soil to dry for early (timely) establishment of rabi crops
17
Water mgt ingredients for a Green Revolution in the Polders
1. Separation of lands of higher & lower elevation (mini-water mgt units)
Prevent accumulation of drainage in lowlands – enable cultivation of rice/HYV
2. Strategic drainage during the rainy season
Enables cultivation of HYV & earlier harvest (mid-Nov)
3. Drainage shortly before aman harvest (early Nov)
Enables soil to dry for early (timely) establishment of rabi crops
4. Intake of water from rivers until they become too saline for irrigation
In some areas lots of fresh water in the rivers almost year-round - untapped
18
27-A
pr-1
1
26-Ju
n-11
25-A
ug-1
1
24-O
ct-1
1
23-D
ec-1
1
21-F
eb-1
2
21-A
pr-1
2
20-Ju
n-12
19-A
ug-1
2
18-O
ct-1
2
17-D
ec-1
2
15-F
eb-1
3
16-A
pr-1
3
15-Ju
n-13
14-A
ug-1
30.00
4.00
8.00
12.00
16.00Polder 30 (Station-2, Pussur river)
Salin
ity (p
pt)
26-F
eb
14-S
ep
1-Ap
r
18-O
ct
6-M
ay
22-N
ov
10-Ju
n0.0
4.0
8.0
12.0
16.0
20.0
24.0 Polder 43-2f (Station-2 (Out Side),Paira River)
Date
Salin
ity (p
pt)
Water mgt ingredients for a Green Revolution in the Polders
1. Separation of lands of higher & lower elevation (mini-water mgt units)
Prevent accumulation of drainage in lowlands – enable cultivation of rice/HYV
2. Strategic drainage during the rainy season
Enables cultivation of HYV & earlier harvest (mid-Nov)
3. Drainage shortly before aman harvest (early Nov)
Enables soil to dry for early (timely) establishment of rabi crops
4. Intake of water from rivers until they become too saline for irrigation
In some areas lots of fresh water in the rivers almost year-round - untapped
5. De-silting of khals(CPWF phase 1)
..Increases storage capacity for irrigation when river too saline..Facilitates drainage
19
Khals within polders vary greatly in size, can store fresh water during the dry season, but often heavily silted up (some no longer exist), blocked…
20
Water mgt ingredients for a Green Revolution in the Polders
1. Separation of lands of higher & lower elevation (mini-water mgt units)
Prevent accumulation of drainage in lowlands – enable cultivation of rice/HYV
2. Strategic drainage during the rainy season
Enables cultivation of HYV & earlier harvest (mid-Nov)
3. Drainage shortly before aman harvest (early Nov)
Enables soil to dry for early (timely) establishment of rabi crops
4. Intake of water from rivers until they become too saline for irrigation
In some areas lots of fresh water in the rivers almost year-round - untapped
5. De-silting of khals ..Increases storage capacity for irrigation when river too saline..Facilitates drainage
6. “Early” establishment of boro rice after aman (sow mid-Nov)
Reduces storage requirement for fresh water to finish the crop off after the rivers become too saline
21Polder 30 - sufficient storage for 15-20% of land to grow boro rice
- desilting of khals roughly double the possible boro rice area
Water mgt ingredients for a Green Revolution in the Polders
1. Separation of lands of higher & lower elevation (mini-water mgt units)
Prevent accumulation of drainage in lowlands – enable cultivation of rice/HYV
2. Strategic drainage during the rainy season
Enables cultivation of HYV & earlier harvest (mid-Nov)
3. Drainage shortly before aman harvest (early Nov)
Enables soil to dry for early (timely) establishment of rabi crops
4. Intake of water from rivers until they become too saline for irrigation
In some areas lots of fresh water in the rivers almost year-round - untapped
5. De-silting of khals(CPWF phase 1)
..Increases storage capacity for irrigation when river too saline..Facilitates drainage
6. “Early” establishment of boro rice after aman (sow mid-Nov – CPWF phase 1)
Reduces storage requirement for fresh water to finish the crop off after the rivers become too saline
7. High yielding/value rabi crops during the dry season in water short areas
Only need 2-3 irrigations
22
Rice variety evaluation for West Bengal
Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI)RRS Canning Town
Challenges in Indian Ganges Basin• Rainy season
– Stagnant flooding (0.3-0.5 m for 1+ month)• Dry season
– Soil salinty– Lack of fresh water (some ground water pumping, but is it sustainable? –
salinisation of aquifer)• Variety evaluation
– Rainy season (aman) – land elevation/flooding depth tolerance– Dry season (boro) – salinity tolerance
• Cropping system– Objective – reduce irrigation requirement for boro
• Timely aman establishment-early boro establishment• Shorter duration
Non-availability of adequate number of varieties for different salinity
Delayed in seed bed preparation and planting
Often planting with old seedlings
Labour scarcity during planting
Increasing expenditure on crop management especially water
Shortage of irrigation water during ripening phase
Exposing to hot weather during heading stage
Crop lodging due to high wind during post-flowering period
High cost involvement
Present scenario of boro rice cultivation
Soil: Heavy texture Land type: Mostly ( 84%) low lying & flat topography
Salinity: 5-15 dSm-1
Canning Sandeshkhali I
Gosaba
Study locations:
Basanti
Polder 3, BD
Sandeshkhali II
20 km
Variety/Line
Sandeshkhali II*Highland
Gosaba**Medium land
Basanti***Lowland
Yield (t/ha)
Farmers’ choice
Yield (t/ha)
Farmers’ choice
Yield (t/ha)
Farmers’ choice
Sabita (local) 2.68 3.15 2.60Amal-Mana 3.80
(42%) 2nd 4.55(44%) 1st
4.40(69%) 2nd
CSRC (D) 12-8-12 3.52(31%)
4.15(32%)
4.80(85%) 1st
Swarna sub 1 4.15(55%) 1st 4.38
(39%) 2nd 4.20(61%)
LSD (0.05) 0.38 0.39 0.41
Improved varieties for Aman season in the Coastal West Bengal, India
Sample pH EC Irrigation water 6.77 6.70Field water 6.97 7.70Soil 7.03 6.26
Village: KheriaBlock: BasantiDist. : South 24 Parganas
Ground water use for Boro rice cultivation
Class EC (dS m-1) Quality characteristicsC1 <1.5 Normal watersC2 1.5 – 3 Low saline watersC3 3 – 5 Medium saline watersC4 5 – 10 Saline watersC5 >10 High saline waters
January February March April01234567
Change in Ground Water Salinity dur-ing dry season
Salin
ity d
S m
-1
07.01.12 02.02.12 16.03.12 20.04.120123456789
Changes in soil salinity during boro rice
SandeshkhaliGosaba
Soil
salin
ity E
Ce (d
Sm-1
)
Rice varietal trial during 2013 Boro seasonFARMERS’ FIELDS (low to high salinity)
1 BRRI dhan 47
2 BRRI dhan 55
3 BINA dhan 84 Parijat5 Bidhan-2
6 N. Sankar
7 S. Sankar8 WGL-20471
9 Local 110 Local 2
Parijat
BRRI dhan 55
Super S
ankar
Bidhan 2
Annada
IET 4786
N. Sanka
r
BINA dhan 8
WGL 20471
BRRI dhan 47
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 Soil Salinity 3.10 dS/m
Soil Salinity 7.15 dS/mGr
ain
yiel
d (t
ha-1
)155 d
145 d155 d
145 d
On-station experiment for evaluation of effect of duration & sowing date
on water use & water productivity
• BRRI dhan 47• BRRI dhan 53• BRRI dhan 55 • BINA dhan 8• CSR 34, CSR 22• IR 10206-29-2-1-1• CSRC (S) 50-2-1-1-4-B• Dates of sowing:
06.11.12 & 28.11.12
Grain yield & Duration of Boro Rice Varieties (on-station boro trial 2013, low salinity)
BRRI dhan 47
BRRI dhan 53
BRRI dhan 55
BINA dhan 8
CSR 34
CSR 22
IR 10206-29-2-1-1
CSRC (S
) 50-2-1-1-4-B
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Grai
n yi
eld
(t h
a-1)
BRRI dhan 47
BRRI dhan 53
BRRI dhan 55
BINA dhan 8
CSR 34
CSR 22
IR 10206-29-2-1-1
CSRC (S
) 50-2-1-1-4-B
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Days
to m
atur
ity
Water use & WUE of Boro rice Varieties
BRRI dhan 47
BRRI dhan 53
BRRI dhan 55
BINA dhan 8
CSR 34
CSR 22
IR 10206-29-2-1-1
CSRC (S
) 50-2-1-1-4-B
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Irrig
ation
wat
er u
sed
(cm
)
BRRI dhan 47
BRRI dhan 53
BRRI dhan 55
BINA dhan 8
CSR 34
CSR 22
IR 10206-29-2-1-1
CSRC (S
) 50-2-1-1-4-B
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
WUE
(kg/
ha-c
m)
17% Less irrigation water required by early sowing crop due to utilization of residual soil moisture & earlier maturity in cooler
weather
04080
120160
06.11.12 28.11.12
Average of 8 varieties
BANGLADESH
Aquaculture: Salinity fluctuates from high in dry season to medium in rainy season
Rice-aquaculture: Salinity fluctuates from high in dry season to low in rainy season
Research Objective
Improved management for enhanced productivity, profitability & resilience in rice-aquaculture & aquaculture systems
24 mini-ghers for rice-aquaculture 12 mini-ghers for aquaculture
407-870 m2866-1463 m2
Aquaculture Treatments in 20133 aquaculture treatments in BOTH systems (4 reps) :
1. Farmers’ mgt : Polyculture Shrimp+ several fish spp, multiple stockings & harvests
2. Improved mgt 1: Rotational monoculture Dry season - shrimp (2 short crops)
Wet season - monoculture tilapia; monoculture cat fish
3. Improved mgt 2: Rotational polycultureDry season - shrimp+tilapia (2 short crops)
Wet season - polyculture tilapia + carp + catfish
Carp
Singh & Magur
Shrimp
Nona tengra
Tilapia
……………Dry season…………………………………….Wet
season……………………………………………………………
Catfish (3 spp)
Rice-aquaculture systemTherefore 2 water depth treatments (50 cm, 70 cm) in rice-aquaculture system, both seasons
Saline water needs to be drained in July to allow leaching of salt by rainfall prior to rice transplantingHigher brackish water aquaculture production if saline water is kept for longer
Need shallow water after transplanting rice (<20 cm)This is very shallow for aquaculture (importance of trenches)
Better rice productivity with shallower waterBetter aquaculture productivity with deeper water
Some tradeoffs for rice & aquaculture system
Management
Practice Farmer’s Practice Improved 1 & 2Liming 200 kg ha-1 200 kg ha-1
Water filtering Unfiltered FilteredWater depth Lower HigherPredatory Fish Not eradicated EradicatedFertilization No fertilizer Fertilizer & dolomiteShrimp seed Not PCR tested PCR testedFeed No feed Feeding Water replenishment When needed When neededPost stocking fertilization
Very insufficient When primary production is low
Fish seed Some wild All from hatcheries
Timeline (Output 2 & 4)
Shrimp& fishStocking 1
Rice harvest
AprilMarch Aug. Dec.
Harvest 2Stocking - WS
Fish harvestComplete draining
Sept.
Harvest 1Stocking 2
May July Nov.
Rice transplanting
Dry season (DS) Wet season (WS)
05
1015202530 FP(50 cm) FP(70 cm)
Mono(50 cm) Mono(70 cm)Poly(50 cm) Poly(70 cm)
Days of Culture
Salin
ity (p
pt)
1 7 15
21
28
35
42
49
56
63
70
77
84
91
98
105
112
119
05
1015202530
FP (50cm) Mono (50 cm)Poly (50 cm) FP (70 cm)Mono (70 cm) Poly (70 cm)
Days of culture
Salin
ity (p
pt)
Rice-aquaculture AquacultureWater salinity (2012 versus 2013)
1 7 15
21
28
35
42
49
56
63
70
77
84
91
98
105
112
119
05
1015202530
FPMonoPoly
Days of culture
Salin
ity (p
pt)
1 14 28 42 56 70 84 98112
0
5
10
15
20
25
30 FPMonoPoly
Days of Culture
Salin
ity (p
pt)
2012
2013
2012
2013
Depth of water during dry season
1 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 70 77 84 91 98 1051121190
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
FP(50 cm) FP(70 cm)Mono(50 cm) Mono(70 cm)Poly(50 cm) Poly(70 cm)
Days of Culture
Wat
er D
epth
(cm
)2013
Dry season 2013 production (kg/ha) rice-aquaculture
Culture pattern
1st crop(Shrimp 70 days,
Fish 55 days)
2nd crop(Shrimp 52 days,
Fish 41days)Total DS
(March-July)
Shrimp Tilapia Shrimp* Tilapia* Shrimp Tilapia
Farmer’s practice
135 kg/ha shrimp165 kg/ha fish to September
(complete harvest December)
Mono(50 cm)
388 ±22 - 271 ±52 - 659 -
Poly(50 cm)
361 ±60 1625 ±56 255 ±67 775 ±23 616 2400
Mono(70 cm)
501 ±132 - 309 ±17 - 810 -
Poly(70 cm)
381 ±57 1624 ±62 255 ±75 652 ±61 636 2276* 2nd stocking delayed 15 days due to unavailability of quality seed shrimp & tilapia
Economics of dry season rice- aquaculture production
Culture pattern
Total Variable
costTotal
ReturnGross margin
Mono(50 cm)
175 277 102
Poly(50 cm)
320 475 155
Mono(70 cm)
178 340 162
Poly(70 cm)
296 472 176
Tk X 1000/ha
Progress of wet season production
Water drained out for rice transplantation
T-aman was affected by salinity from seepage from adjacent ghers & groundwater influx
Tilapia harvesting
Transplantation of rice
Depth of water during dry (March-July) season
0
20
40
60
80
100FPMonoPoly
Days of culture
Wat
er d
epth
(cm
)2013
Dry season 2013 production (kg/ha) aquaculture
Culture pattern
1st crop(Shrimp 70 days,
Fish 55 days)
2nd crop(Shrimp 52 days,
Fish 41days)Total DS
Shrimp Tilapia Shrimp* Tilapia* Shrimp Tilapia
Farmer’s practice
73.19 kg/ha bagda, 13 kg/ha harina, 144 kg tilapia and 8.61 kg/ha to September. (complete harvest
December)
Mono-culture 565±31 - 291±124 - 856 -
Poly-culture 373±27 1744 ±212 193±64 777±47 566 2521
* 2nd stocking delayed 15 days due to unavailability of quality seed shrimp & tilapia
Economics of dry season aquaculture production
Culture pattern
Total variable
costTotal
ReturnGross margin
Monoculture180 359 179
Polyculture 293 464 171
Tk X 1000/ha
Progress of wet season production
Partitioning of 4 ponds Stocking of new cat fish
Tilapia disease due to lack of water exchange Tilapia harvesting
Key challengesMarkets• Scarcity of quality shrimp and fish seed• Lack of quality feed in local marketAquaculture management• Prevention of escaping cat fish through dikes• Aquatic weed controlCommunity• Poor feeder canal for gravitational water
exchange (need community system)• Poaching risk increases (need to increase
productivity of all ghers to lessen predation of individual gher – share the predation more evenly!)
Lessons Learned
• Short duration shrimp production appeared as less risky.
• High demand for big size fingerlings in the locality – an expanding industry
Other improvements
You can make your saline gher dike green and environment friendly by adding trees
Other improvements
Local variety of grass grows very well on saline gher dikes which can be used as fodder
Paddy- Fish Culture in South 24 Paraganas, West Bengal, India
Output 2: More productive, profitable, resilient & diversified rice-based cropping systems
In collaboration with CSSRI ,Canning
How India and Bangladesh work is different ?
IndiaDeep pond at one endRainy season – fish in pond & rice cropDry season – fish in pond only; rice irrigated from pond
BangladeshRice and fish in the same gher (large, shallow “pond” e.g. 0.5-5 ha)
Paddy-Fish calendarJul Aug Sept Oct Nov DEC Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Bangladesh[
India
Wet season Dry season
Rice+fish+prawnDry seasonShrimp+fish
Wet
Rice Boro rice
Fish in field & pond Fish in pond
Objectives
1. to evaluate pond area/agricultural land area ratio(what size pond is large enough to grow boro rice in Dry Seasons ?)
2 treatments - 20% (current practice; not enough for boro rice)- 30% (enough for boro rice?)
2. to evaluate harvesting method
2 treatments – single harvest in Mar- phased harvesting (monthly, Dec- Mar)
Locations 1 & 2
2 pond areas(20%, 30% of total field)
2 harvesting treatments (single, phased)
3 replicates
Experimental location and treatment
DESIGN LAYOUT OF PADDY CUM FISH CULTURE (KHARIF)
Padd
y
V
arie
ty-1
(Am
alm
ana)
Partition of pond and paddy field by Net
Fish Culture without phase harvest
Fish Culture with phase harvest
Earthen Embankment
TrenchPond area Paddy Cultivation Area
Dyke cropping with horticultural crops
• Inputs (Lime, Feed, Fertiliser, advance fingerlings)
• Water quality fortnightly - Temperature, pH, dissolved
Oxygen, salinity, total alkalinity, ammoniacal–N, nitrate–N, phosphate
• Growth & survival fortnightly• Feed intake weekly• Production
Monitoring of pond water and fish
• Inputs e.g. Fertiliser• Growth, development• Grain & straw yield• Yield components
Monitoring of rice
October rainfall 538 mm – long time average 130mm
May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Rainfall (mm) 2013
• All parameters similar except salinity• Conditions were within the optimum range for fish growth at all
sites
Future PlanWill continue for 2014 dry & rainy seasons & 2015 dry season if possible• Harvesting rainy season rice• Start fish harvesting in December.• Nursery raising for boro rice December• Transplant boro rice Feb 14• Final fish harvest March 2014.• Restocking of pond• Water budgeting
Implementing community level water management in coastal Bangladesh
Manoranjan Mondal, Elizabeth HumphreysT P Tuong and Alamgir Chowdhury
SCL
Boro Aman
Aus
A M J J A S O N D J F M A
Low Saline Area: Aus-Aman-Boro
IrrigationRainfall-River Water w/Suppl Irrigation
Rabi Aman
Aus Aus
A M J J A S O N D J F M A
Low Saline Area: Aus-Aman-Rabi
Aman
Residual Moisture
Terminal Drainage
Rainfall-River Water w/Suppl Irrigation
15 July
15 Nov 30 AprRabi (120-140 d)
Dec/Jan Aman (140 d)
M J J A S O N D J F M A M
Terminal Drainage
Moderate Saline Area: Aman-Rabi
Rainfall-River Water Residual Soil Moisture
15 July
15 Nov 30 AprBoro (150 d)
10 Dec Aman (140 d)
M J J A S O N D J F M A M
Rainfall-River Water Irrigation
Moderate Saline Area: Aman-Boro
M J J A S O N D J F M A M J
T. Aman (140-160 d)
Rabi (130-140 d)
1. Prolonged water logging -~ 30 cm water depth at the beginning of aman season prevents adoption of HYV rice cultivation
2. Delayed establishment of rabi crops3. Pre-monsoon rainfall
Main causes of low productivity
YES – by• Systematic operation of the sluice
gates (open at low tide, close at high tide)
• Separation of lands of different elevation with small levees
• Strategic investments in infrastructure e.g. culverts under polder roads blocking natural drainage lines
• Desilting drainage canals (khals)BUT• Need community participation
Can the problem of water too deep for HYV rice solved?
Elevation (above mean sea level, m) %
<0. 2 0<0.6 15<1.0 61<1.2 80<1.6 95<1.8 98
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
0 20 40 60 80 100
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Area (sqkm)
Land
leve
l (m
PWD)
Area (Percent)
Area-Elevation curve
Average water level 1.3 m
Kazibacha river
Low tide water level 0.0 m
High tide water level 2.9 m
Average water level 1.0 m
Lower-Shalta river
Low tide water level -0.50 m
High tide water level 2.7 m
Gravity drainage - an example of polder 30
• Obtain the agreement of a group of farmers to create a hydrologically separate pilot watershed area on polder 30 and operate the sluice gate systematically
What we have done to improve productivity of coastal BD?
97
River
Sluicegate
Road
Rural road
Canal(khal)
Drainage canal
Outlet
6 ha pilot water management unit on polder 30
98
• Obtained the agreement of the farmers to grow– HYV rice – High value and
traditional rabi cropsin the watershed area
• Provided seed & training in recommended management for rice and rabi crops
• Provided year-round coaching
What we have done to improve productivity of coastal BD?
99
July
Nov AprHYV Rabi
Dec/Jan HYV Aman
M J J A S O N D J F M A M
River water EC 1-4 dSm-1
Residual soil water
Terminal Drainage
What we wanted to achieve?
• Only about 50% farmer cultivated HYV
• Reasons– ~50% leasing land: tenant
has to bear all expenses, crop share is only 1/3rd; pressure from land owners for traditional rice
– Lower price of HYV in local market at that time
– Need cash to buy inputs: fertilizer, pesticide
– Higher cost of transplanting HYV due to closer spacing.
HYV Local0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Farm
er cu
ltiva
ted
rice
(%)
Lesson 1: HYV rice cultivation
• Constructed internal drains/bunds to separate high and low land & outlet
• Installed drainage outlet• The crop was submerged twice
• 8-14 August 2012: 264 mm rainfall, drained out within 4 days.
• 3-5 September 2012: 246 mm rainfall, drained out within 3 days.
• With this drainage network, watershed farmers successfully drained excess water.
Lesson 2: Drainage during aman season
• Farmers operated the sluice gate systematically to quickly drain out excess water during the rainy season
• BUT couldn’t drain on time for rabi establishment because of late maturing traditional varieties
Drainage during aman season
1-Jul-1
2
14-Jul-1
2
27-Jul-1
2
9-Aug-12
22-Aug-12
4-Sep-12
17-Sep-12
30-Sep-12
13-Oct-
12
26-Oct-
12
8-Nov-1
2
21-Nov-1
2
4-Dec-1
2
17-Dec-1
2
30-Dec-1
2
12-Jan-13
25-Jan-13
7-Feb-13
20-Feb-13
5-Mar-
13
18-Mar-
130
20406080
100120140160180200220240
Rain
fall
& W
ater
dep
th (m
m) Target drainage time – but irrigation!
because local variety late maturing
Transplanting
Surface water gone but weather cold, foggy, soil too wet for tillage
Lesson 3: Late drainage at the end of wet season- soil too wet for early rabi crop establishment
• Early establishment of rabi crops possible by dibbling– 2 farmers established sunflower by dibbling on 1 January
2013, harvested before the cyclone.– BUT dibbling cultivation requires more labour to spade
the land, increasing production cost. (if not cultivated, how to apply fertilizer? soil cracks leading to root breakage, irrigation water loss down cracks-need small scale mechanization)
Lesson 4: Rabi crop establishment
Sunflower established on 1st January 2013, harvested before cyclone (yield = 1.5 t/ha, well-irrigated, no
fertiliser)
Maize established on 24 February 2013 was in late grain filling at time of rains & farmer harvested 5 t/ha (~ 1/2
fertiliser )
HYV Rice (Re commended mngt)
Traditional + HYV Rice (Farmers’ mngt)
Stocked FISH in 6 ha –both areas
(Tilapia, Mola)
Aman 2013: Rice-Fish
117
1-Aug6-Aug
11-Aug
16-Aug
21-Aug
26-Aug
31-Aug5-Se
p
10-Sep
15-Sep
20-Sep
25-Sep
30-Sep5-O
ct
10-Oct
15-Oct
20-Oct
25-Oct
30-Oct
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Rainfall (mm)Water depth (mm)
Rain
fall
& W
ater
Dep
th (m
m)
Paddy water depth in 2013 aman season
• Community water management is the key to outscaling improved agricultural technologies for food security of the communities living in coastal polders of BD.
• Productivity & income could be increased integrating small indigenous fish with rice in the watershed area.
• This will– Improve food & nutrition– More home consumption
by children & women.– Increase aquatic
agricultural diversity.
Future potentials of community water management
Objectiveto increase productivity, improve nutrition & income and empowerment of women
Specific research questions:
1. How to increase productivity, income and household consumption of fish from small shaded ponds without hampering regular household pond water uses ?
2. How women’s capacity of decision making and control of resources can be improved through their involvement in shaded pond fish farming?
Objectives and research questions
Locations & new partners – under umbrella of G2
Polder 3: G2, AAS
Polder 30: G2, AAS
Polder 43: G2, FtF-Aq
Polder 5: SmartFarm
Polder 39: SmartFarm
P3P30
P43
P39
P5
Barisal: CSISA
Faridpur: CSISA
Jessore: CSISA
Barisal
Jessore
Faridpur
Region 2: Non Saline
Region 1:Saline
PAR Process & team building
Research team (RT): experts under different themes from participating projectsImplementation monitoring team (IMT): Respective PO/TS/ADO of concerned project at each siteWomen’s groups: <1 ha land and pond with >60% shade throughout the day
Designing the research: Community consultation
Identifying resources and opportunitiesPrioritizing farmers preferenceUnderstanding gender and nutrition statusDefining women role in participatory technology development
Fish Feed Preference by Women
Commercial Feed
Home made feed
Kitchen waste
Insects & other naturally available feed
Women Preference for Participating Different
Activities of Aquaculture
Fish sale Fish harvest
Fish feeding monitoring
Fish stocking
Summary of community consultation output and individual farmer interview result were considered in designing the research
Experimental Design
Region: Two regions (saline & non saline)Treatments: Polyculture with 3 different species composition for each region focused on regular fish consumption and increased incomeReplication: 4 replicationsControl: Monitoring of 10 shaded pond in each areaManagement: Low cost feeding & managementMonitoring:
• Baseline & impact survey• Record keeping in WF record book• FARMER GROUP MEETING TWICE IN A MONTH• Collecting WQ & BW sampling data monthly
Empowering women by building awareness & research Capacity
Women farmers have improved
research interest & capacity and
more empowered in decision making & accessing resources
Gender & nutrition
awareness
Technical
Support
Current status: – Tilapia started breeding in ponds– Fish growth & survival satisfactory
Lessons learned: – Timely implementation of planned activities depends on
national political stability– Need to develop local quality input suppliers– Success depends much on field staff motivation &
sincerity
Outcomes so far: – Farmers started regular harvesting & consumption– To date no problems regarding pond water use in other
household activities.– Women farmers are highly motivated for action research
(solving their problems: e.g. less or no productivity from shaded ponds)
– Women farmer researchers already getting more importance in their families and communities
Future plans: Continue for next couple of years focusing on total pond ecosystem, natural recruitment, connectivity with open water, monoculture/commercial aquaculture culture
142
Plans to closure late 20141. Research activities• 2014 boro & aus variety trials in farmers fields (polders 30, 43/2/F)• continue cropping system demos to end of boro/rabi (30), aus (43/2/F)• continue pilot watershed to end of rabi 2014• participatory adaptive trial of brackish water aquaculture technologies in• women-led participatory action research in 2014
• data analysis & writing
2. Outscaling activities - partnership with BRAC in • community watershed pilots• brackish water aquaculture outscaling• outscaling of agricultural cropping system intensification
3. Dissemination materials• scientific papers• brochures, videos for farmers & extensionists• presentations to high level officials, policy makers, donors
4. Seek opportunities/develop proposals for funding to build on achievements
143
Research questions for the future (many)
Common across aquatic-agriculture systems: 1. How can we implement improved community management to demonstrate
the benefits of improved production systems? (about water & much more; agricultural cropping systems, aquaculture systems)
2. Is implementation of improved drainage/water management systems in polders economic?
3. Nutrient cycling in rice-shrimp systems
Many others specific to:• rice varietal improvement (e.g. short duration, cold tolerant boro)• homestead production systems (e.g. pond-ecosystem approach)• sustainability of groundwater pumping for boro rice• establishment of rabi crops • aquaculture in saline areas