• 28 Mar, 2024
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The conventional crop production system involves intensive tillage to prepare seed bed, higher fuel and energy consumption, delayed crop establishment, higher production cost, imbalance nutrient use, soil quality degradation, water and air pollution, which leads to the sustainable crop production system into risk. In response to these challenges, the Consortium for Scaling-up Climate Smart Agriculture in South Asia (C-SUCSeS) project, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implemented by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), introduced a Climate-Smart Agriculture technology known as Strip Planting. This groundbreaking approach has brought a ray of optimism to the farmers in Pabna of Bangladesh, with a staggering of 50-60 % reduction in cultivation costs, offering a lifeline to the struggling agricultural community.

Strip Planting: A Revolutionary Approach

Strip planting system is one of the major components of conservation agriculture and is considered as a resource-saving technology. This method involves two zones: a tilling zone (seed bed) and a no-till zone (inter-row space). Remarkably, the crop yields surpass those of conventional cultivation. This innovative approach combines the advantages of both no-till and conventional tillage methods while effectively addressing the limitations of each system. In areas where cultivation is necessary, we employ strip planting. Our cultivation takes place within the range of 6-9 cm in depth, leaving the middle section undisturbed at a depth of 5-7 cm. This strategy enables us to harness the benefits of both no-till and conventional tillage practices simultaneously.

By using strip planting (SP), mechanized tillage and row sowing with 2WT-mounted planters may be modified for minimal soil disturbance activities. The time between harvesting one crop and seeding the next is reduced by the strip planting methods that enable sowing in a single pass. It is common in Bangladesh that there is a limited time between harvest and the planting of the following crop, and tillage delays make it more difficult to sow the next crop on time, and delay in planting result in poor crop establishment and eventually declining crop growth as well as yield. A diverse range of crops varying seed size, seed rate, row spacing, and plant-to-plant spacing such as wheat, maize, rice, lentil, chickpea, jute, mustard, and mung beans, are produced in South Asia using this novel technology.

The technology uses a strip planter powered by 2-Wheel Tractor with a roller to precisely sow seeds with fertilizers. Local entrepreneurs in Pabna have been trained to operate these machines, supported by the On-Farm Research Division of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute. The hands-on training provided to both male and female farmers explicitly indicated that knowledge and skills are imparted to all members of the farming community.

Strip planting system is evolving to take over the conventional agricultural practice of full tillage and subsequent broadcasting of seeds and fertilizers. This trip planting system tilled the land and simultaneously sow seeds with fertilizers. Four tines of the strip planter are attached on each seeding line for tilling the strips.

At present, most of the dry winter crops (lentil, mustard, wheat, maize, chickpea and ground nut), pre-monsoon crops (mung bean, sesame, jute), blackgram, sesbania and monsoon rice crops are grown using strip planting system in most of the areas of the country except in the hilly and waterlogged areas. Although the system has a plenty of benefits, the technology is still under research and demonstration stage. Hence, we are planning to scale-up the technology in intensive rice-based system in Bangladesh. Therefore, the production program of mustard and lentil was undertaken to disseminate and popularize the strip planting system among the farmers for growing crops in different areas of Bangladesh.

Success in Strip Planting

This year, mustard was grown on about 4 hectares of land and lentils on about 2 hectares of land in Darishardier and Pirpur village in Pabna in Bangladesh, using the strip planting technique under the C-SUCSeS project. The performance in recent days has shown that growing mustard and lentils using a strip planting system is indeed beneficial.

The strip planting method is a component of conservation agriculture, incorporating both no-tillage between the rows and in tilling zones seed and fertilizer are placed. In this method, about 80 % of the area is kept untilled between the rows. Additionally, soil compactness is reduced, and residues of the previous crop in strip planting help to store soil moisture and organic matter and improve soil health as compared to traditional method. Moreover, the technology helps to sequester carbon and reduces greenhouse gas emission, and thus maintaining a clean environment.

A case study

The production of mustard (BARI Sarisha-11, BARI Sarisha-14 and BARI Sarisha-17) and lentil (BARI Masur-8) under strip planting system was conducted through block approach at farmers’ field at FSRD site, Pabna during Rabi season of 2022-23. Three strip planted BARI released mustard varieties (BARI Sarisha-11, BARI Sharisha-14 and BARI Sharisha-17) were demonstrated in 663 decimals of land where eleven farmers were involved. Besides, strip planted lentil (BARI Masur-8) was demonstrated in 180 decimals of land involving five farmers. The farmers were selected after a group discussion organized by OFRD, BARI, Pabna. Mustard and lentil were sown on 15-30 November 2022  after harvesting of T. Aman rice.

However, the yield was satisfactory probably due to timely sowing, improved management practices and successfully controlling of Stemphylium blight disease through alternate application of Rovral 50 WP and Autostin. The number of sufficient pods per plant also supported this yield of mustard and lentil.

Findings

The key findings on the performance of mustard and lentil under strip planting) and conventional tillage (CT) system at FSRD site in Pabna is presented in Table 1.The yield range of lentil and mustard under SP was 1148 and 1339 kg ha^-1 and under CT was 1110 and 1460 kg ha^-1.

Fuel consumption was found 50 % lesser in strip planting system (11.1 L) than that of conventional system (22.2 L) for both crops. In strip planting system, tillage, seed sowing and application of basal fertilizer were done simultaneously in a single pass. Whereas in conventional system, three dry tillage operations are required followed by laddering which consumed more fuel compared to strip planting system.

The Energy use efficiency (EUE) was found higher in SP in both mustard and lentil compared to CT. This variation occurred due to the use of less amount of fuel for SP as compared to CT where the fuel required double amount than that of strip planting system. In terms of net return, lentil was Tk. 96573 ha^-1 and mustard was Tk. 69897 ha^-1 under SP; and Tk. 80380 ha^-1 and Tk. 71487 ha^-1 was obtained in CT.

Table 1. Performance of different BARI released mustard varieties (BARI Sarisha-11, BARI Sarisha-14 and BARI Sarisha-17) and lentil (BARI Masur-8) under strip planting and conventional cultivation method at FSRD site, Gangarampur during the Rabi season of 2022-23

Mustard seed: 100.00 Tk.kg^-1 and Mustard straw: 3.00 Tk. kg^-1; Lentil seed: 100.00 Tk.kg^-1 and lentil straw: 5.00 Tk. kg^-1

Farmer’s opinion

Farmers of Darishardiar and Pirpur village opined that the strip planting system was an effective technique to increase yield of lentil and mustard with low production cost.  They also expressed that it motivated them to grow crop in their field after T. Aman rice with this technology because it saved their time and labour, convenient to apply, eventually increased crop yield and profit. Farmers are interested to adopt the technology and agreed to assist in further promotion of this technology among other farmers of the region given that seeding machine would be made available for them.

Sumon Mia, a farmer from that area, shares his success story after adopting strip planting. His lentil cultivation last year using the strip planting method earned him around 13-14 thousand taka, which he utilized for his children’s education and family expenses. He said, ‘I would also invested some money in cultivating rice for the upcoming season. With hopes of a good harvest this year, I had planted mustard on three acres of land. I anticipate earning around thirty to forty thousand taka. In the following years, I planned to use strip planter on all of my land because it saves time, money, labour, and provide good yeild’.

Machine operator Tofazzal Hossen mentioned, “I received training on strip planting machine and technique from C-SUCSeS project of BARI, and this year, with the help of farmers, we cultivated mustard on thirty acres of land. Farmers are more interested in growing rabi crops using a strip planting system. Previously, they used to spend 800 taka for land preparation and seeding on traditional methods, but now they need to spend only 400 taka.”

Challenges to adopt the technology

Despite multiple advantages, the strip planting system has a few limitations too. Farmers are reluctant to change their mindsets towards a new technology. Lack of knowledge of this technology and lack of availability of quality machines and spare parts are important constraints in scaling up this technology. Further, lack of proper training and over-reliance on herbicides are other major constraints to promoting this technology. Despite these limitations, the technology is spreading fast for growing different crops in three different seasons including legume crops, oilseed crops, rice, wheat, maize, etc. across the country.

Beyond Cost Reduction: Environmental and Agricultural Benefits

The advantages of Strip Planting system extend beyond cost reduction. The method facilitates optimal crop growth by providing sufficient light, air, nutrients, and timely planting. With minimal cultivation, the improvement of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, creates a favorable environment for the current and subsequent crops.

For Climate-Smart Agriculture technology to be effective, it must possess three key characteristics: adaptability to changing climatic conditions, stress tolerance in crops, and the ability to handle adverse weather conditions. The method is environmentally friendly, ensuring that fertilizers are applied safely and minimizing harmful gas emissions associated with conventional cultivation.

In traditional farming, repeated tillage releases gases like methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide, contributing significantly to climate change. Strip planting system reduces gas emissions, minimize soil disturbance, reduce air, water, and groundwater pollution. This not only benefits the environment but also alleviates the financial burden to the farmers who would otherwise spend a significant portion of their income on medical treatments.

Conclusion: A Transformative Force

The introduction of Strip planting method in Darishardiar Village is more than a mere agricultural technique; it’s a transformative force reshaping the landscape of farming, offering sustainable solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. As the fields in Darishardiar Village continue to evolve with this innovative approach, it stands as a testament to the power of research, technology, and community collaboration in securing a resilient and prosperous agricultural future. The impact of the Strip planting system goes beyond economic benefits, fostering environmental sustainability and resilience in the face of climatic uncertainties.

Authors:

• Md. Ariful Islam, Senior Scientific Officer, On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, email: arifprc@gmail.com, Cell: +880 1744-898441
• Samim Hossain Molla, Senior Scientific Officer (FS Agronomist & Stress Physiologist), On-Farm Research Division Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Pabna, Bangladesh, Email:samimmolla@bari.gov.bd, Cell:+8801716595677
• Apurbo Kumar Chaki, Senior Scientific Officer, OFRD, BARI & Associate National Focal Point, C-SUCSeS Project (Bangladesh component), Cell: +88 01705 338 306, email: a.chaki@uq.net.au, apurbochaki@yahoo.com
• Md. Mazharul Anwar, Chief Scientific Officer, OFRD, BARI & National Focal Point, C-SUCSeS Project (Bangladesh component), Cell: +88 01916847240, email:anwar.sci.bari@gmail.comMr.
• Kinzang Gyeltshen, Regional Programme Coordinator, C-SUCSeS Project, SAARC Agriculture   Centre, email: kingyel@hotmail.com, Cell: +880 1316-195687
• Robyul Islam, Programme Officer, C-SUCSeS Project, SAARC Agriculture Center, Email: irobyul@gmail.com, Cell:    +880 1737 144002, +880 1812 323030 (WhatsApp)
• Kabir Hossain, Knowledge Management Consultant, C-SUCSeS Project, SAARC Agriculture Centre, Email: kabircomms@yahoo.com , Cell: +880 1752698847