Substantiation of research
Bangladesh’s economy is mostly agrarian and nearly 40% of its population depends on agriculture. The existing homestead cultivation system of the studied area is considered as unplanned and vulnerable to heavy wind and cyclonic events as well as salinity intrusion. Cultivation of fruit trees and vegetable gardening have become difficult due to the dominance of unproductive and unmanaged woody trees (raintree, siris etc). Moreover, diets are largely imbalanced with the staple food cereals contributing around 70% of total energy intake (HIES, 2010). A desirable dietary pattern is need to developed based on the current knowledge of nutritional requirements of different age, sex and occupational groups. Hence, the study has been undertaken to know the existing plantation pattern, its vulnerability to changing climate and influences on dietary pattern at the central coast of Bangladesh.
Research methods
A comprehensive survey was carried out using two seperate questionnaires. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was performed with university teachers, scientiest, extention personnel and NGO worker and incorporated their opinions to develop the questionnaire. For sampling, twelve farmers from five villages of five unions (12×5=60) and five upazilla (60×5=300) were randomly selected. As we used two seperate types of questionnaires for homestead plantation data and household diet data, the total samples were 300×2=600. The influence of climatic factors like cyclone, flood, salinity, storm and drought etc. on household production were targeted to find out from the selected respondents with that pre-formulated questionnaire. On the otherhand, seven days household food consumption data including cereals (rice, wheat), pulses, different fruits and vegetables, animal source foods like eggs, meats and fishes were also collected. We assessed daily intake, dietary diversity and their source of production. Data compilation is completed and analyses are in progress.
Results so far
- In the study area, the most commonly grown vegetable crops were cucurbits, aroids, plantains and beans, and fruit crops were velvet apple, sapota, jujube, tamarind and dwarf mango etc. Dominance of climate vulnerable raintree was observed which also restrict the production of fruits and vegetable crops.
- For homestead gardening, farmer uses sorjan (ridge and furrow), raised bed, sack bag, pyramid of soil, trellis, floating bed and single vegtable plant in rope or bambo stick cordon system of planting.
- Different minerals i.e phosphorus and calcium deficiencies were prominent and other minerals intake were to some extent satisfactory.
- Dietary consumption was also poor compared to daily recommandation.
- Total calory intake of individuals were lower than the recommended dose or allownces.
Prof. Dr. Mahbub Robbani
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