Sub sector: Rice

1. Situation:Crop production is the main sources of food and cash of these regions. Average cropping intensity is 183% of the regions however cropping intensity and crop diversification is highest in Bhola. Both Kharif II and winter season is suitable for crop production but difficult in Kharif I due to draught and salinity. Cropped areas in the regions are Cereals- 71.64% (Amon- 52%, Boro- 11%, Aus- 9%), Pulse- 15.34%, Spices and Fruit- 3.79%, Oil seed crops- 4.68%, Vegetable- 1.76% and Tuber crops- 1.43%).

Table- 8: Yield gap between existing and recommendation practices:Name of crop Average yield (ton/hac)

Farmer practice Recommended practiceT-Amon 2.5 4Boro 4 5(Source: Technical study report on crop production system and technology in the regions (Bar, Bho, Pat, Noa, Lax) by identifying constraints and opportunities under MIDPCR, June 2008)

Yield gap is due to low quality seed, use local variety, week crop management practices and in appropriate harvesting time and techniques. Natural rain irrigated T. Amon is the main crop in the region. 50% local varieties are used in Amon cultivation. The boro cultivation is significantly hampered due to lack of irrigation possibilities, soil and water salinity, however land uses is increasing for HYV both in Amon and Aus. Research identified that BRRI 47 is suitable for Boro and BRRI 41 and BRRI 44 for Amon season as saline tolerant varieties. Considering the experiences and technical study report conducted by DAE, the RED targeting the potential upazilla for implementing market development interventions for the growth of paddy market and increase the income of paddy producer. These are

2. Objectives for working in the sub sector: Increase yield Improve availability of HYV and hybrid rice seed Increase farmer’s income

3. What has been done and impact so far:In last Boro and Amon season the team facilitated demonstration for growing HYV rice (BRRI 47, BRRI 41, BRRI 44 etc.) through linking DAE, BADC and seed producing companies. Farmers got higher yield compare to traditional rice cultivation practices. They also preserved seed and sold to the neighbor farmer for growing the HYV rice particularly BRRI 47.

The RED team facilitated the following activities with the rice value chain actors, so that farmer can get access to input market, increase land productivity and finally income:

Activities # of events # of framer attended Outcome Linkage workshop with producer, buyers, input seller

8 238 Benefited farmer: 182 (Gr. farmer - 51, Non gr. farmer- 131)

Preseason planning workshop 9 260 Land coverage: 2844 decimalFacilitated demonstration 16 16 Production increased: 2-5 kg/decimalInformal meeting with producers

12 382

Develop rice seed seller and connect with BADC and rice seed producing company

4. Future strategy for reaching the target beneficiaries (High importance)In the project areas the RED team will mainly target the amon season but low emphasize on boro season rice cultivation.

Farmer Upazila Land coverage Yield Cost1050 Noakhali: Sadar, Companygonj and

RamgotiBhola: Borhanuddin and LalmohonBarisal: Muladi and Bakergonj

234 hectors increase yield 3 kg per decimal

reduce production cost 2-3 Tk/decimal

It is expected that each farmer will cultivate rice in 33 decimal land, and through the interventions the additional income will Tk. 1732500 (Av income will increase Tk 50 per decimal, total land coverage 140 hectors/34638 decimal, increase productivity 3 kg/dec and decrease cost Tk3/dec )

Specific activities to support the strategies: Provide direct assistance to the rice producer (training, linkages, demonstrations, market visit) Linking with BRRI and DAE facilitate demonstration to improve knowledge on appropriate use of

seed increased yield. Facilitate linkage with BADC, seed producing company and local seed sellers for availability of

quality seeds Facilitate collection point for direct access to the regional wholesalers, big buyers and feed

manufactures for increase selling price at farm gate. Linking the farmer with DAE facilitated seed preservation project

5. Scale up strategy (secondary importance) Involve private seed company (Supreem seed , Metal seed etc.) for extending amon rice seed

distribution channel up to the hat bazaar Linking with BRRI, BADC and DAE for multiplication and distribution of HYV amon seed Develop seed producer and selling to the company

6. Constraints matrix:Areas Constraints InterventionsInput market Lack access to better quality HYV seed

(BRRI 41, BRRI 44 & BRRI 47)access to HYV seed technical know how

Farmers lack knowledge about HYV rice cultivation techniques

Main Intervention areas are available of HYV seed BRRI 47, improve production technology

7. Activity plan:Activity Subject Tota

lYear wise activity distribution Responsi

bility Year 1 Year 2

Ba Bh Pa No Ba Bh Pa NoPrimary focus: 1. Access to

quality HYV seeds

Organize linkage workshop between rice producer, BADC dealer, company for getting HYV seed

24 4 5 4 4 3 4

Organize training for rice farmer on cultivation techniques of HYV and Hybrid rice (C:B ratio analysis) and seed storage

20 4 3 4 3 3 3

Preseason planning meeting 20 3 3 4 4 3 3Promote demonstration on performance of HYV rice followed by FFD

12 3 3 3 1 1 1

8. Activity Budget:Activity Cost/

batchPart/batch

Y1 (Jan- Dec 2011) Y2 (Jan-Dec 2012) Total batch

Total cost

batch T. part T. cost batch T. part T. costMarketing training 23,000 20 12 240 276,000 8 160 184,000 20 460,000Linkage workshop 4,575 25 12 300 54,900 12 300 54,900 24 109,800Demonstration & FFD 2,500 100 6 600 15,000 6 600 15,000 12 30,000Preseason planning meeting

500 30 10 300 5,000 10 300 5,000 20 10,000

Promotional activities 20,000 5 100,000 5 100,000 10 200,000Impact study 25,000 1 25,000 1 25,000 2 50,000 475,900 383,900 859,800

9. Monitoring Indicators: # of farmers directly involved with project activities Area under improved cultivation Increase productivity Name of the improve/new technology and # of participants using those technologies Enter in to the new markets Reduced cost (production, postharvest losses, carrying cost etc) Increase product selling prices Increase income