Determinants of crop diversity in the regions of Bangladesh (1990-2008)

Rahman, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0391-6191 and Kazal, M. M. H. (2015) Determinants of crop diversity in the regions of Bangladesh (1990-2008). Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography, 36 (1). pp. 83-97. ISSN 1467-9493 doi: 10.1111/sjtg.12086

Abstract/Summary

The paper measures the level of crop diversity and identifies factors influencing diversification using a panel data of 17 regions of Bangladesh covering a 19 year period (1990–2008). Results revealed the trends that agricultural areas allocated to high-yielding variety rice, spices and vegetables has increased, while areas cultivating traditional rice, minor cereals, oilseeds, pulses, jute and sugarcane has declined at variable rates across regions with significant differences. The level of crop diversity is also significantly different across regions and has decreased in 2008 from its 1990 level in most regions except Faridpur, Khulna and Sylhet. Among the determinants, an increase in the relative prices of vegetables and urea fertilizer, extension expenditure, labour stock per farm, average farm size, irrigation and a reduction in livestock per farm significantly increase crop diversity. Price policies to improve vegetable prices and investment in irrigation infrastructure and extension services are suggested to promote crop diversity in Bangladesh.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/105882
Identification Number/DOI	10.1111/sjtg.12086
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	No Reading authors. Back catalogue items Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Agri-Food Economics & Marketing
Publisher	Wiley
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