FLOATING VEGETABLE GARDENING IN BANGLADESH: A WAY TO IMPROVE INCOME AND LIVELIHOOD OF THE FARMERS

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the socio-economic characteristics and the effect of floating gardening on income and livelihood of the farmers. The study was conducted in Gopalganj and Pirojpur district. Data were collected from the randomly selected 60 respondents during August to September, 2019. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis. Total variable cost of floating bed vegetable production were Tk. 1856, Tk. 1857, Tk. 1876 and Tk. 1922 per bed for tomato, brinjal, chili and red amaranth respectively. Per bed total cost of producing vegetable per year was found to be Tk. 2651, Tk. 2638, Tk. 2640 and Tk. 2734 for tomato, brinjal, chili and red amaranth respectively. Gross margin was found to be Tk. 2734, Tk. 2524, Tk. 2714 and Tk. 2716 per bed for tomato, brinjal, chili and red amaranth respectively. Net return was estimated as Tk. 1939, Tk. 1743, Tk. 1950 and Tk. 1904 per bed for tomato, brinjal, chili and red amaranth respectively. Floating vegetable gardening improves the livelihood status of the growers. Lack of capital was the severe problem followed by lack of awareness of farmers regarding floating gardening system.