Boro rice is the main crop in Haor areas. In most cases, pre-matured or matured Boro crops are damaged by early flash flood which generally happened due to pre-monsoon heavy rainfall in the hilly areas. Besides, drainage congestion and irrigation water scarcity due to siltation of rivers, Khals and Beels are the another problem for Haor agriculture.

Six indicators (cropping intensity, crop area, crop production, crop damage, irrigation and use of agro-chemicals) have been selected for assessing the impact on agriculture resources due to structural interventions in Haor ecosystem. The information of these indicators were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were gathered from stakeholders through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informant Interview (KII). The secondary data were collected from Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and field level Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) office.

Cropped Area, Cropping Pattern and Intensity

Pre Project
Before the project interventions, the Net Cultivated Area (NCA) was 5,346 hectare, where dominant cropping pattern Fallow-Fallow-Local Boro was found. The land type of this project area was very low land (about 82%) followed by medium low land, low land and medium high land as presented in Table 4.1.

Farmers usually grew Local Boro crops in Rabi season. Different varieties of Boro rice such Gochi, Boro, Tepi Boro, Jagli Boro, Rata and Shail were very much popular among the farmers. According to the farmers, they couldn’t cultivate 4% areas due to use as grazing land for livestock. Total cultivated area was covered with single cropped area. So, cropping intensity of this area was 96%. Detailed cropping pattern by land type under pre-project situation is presented in Table 4.1.

Post Project
The project area became protected from early flash flood due to the interventions, which influence farmers to grow HYV Aman, HYV Boro, Hybrid Boro and Jute crops instead of Local Boro. HYV Aman, HYV Boro, Hybrid Boro crops also produces higher yield than local varieties. The most popular varieties which are used in the project area are: BR22, BRRI dhan32, BRRI dhan 28 and BRRI dhan 29, Hira, Aftab, ACI-5 and Mesta. The Net Cropped Area (NCA) has been decreased to 5,349 hectare after interventions. But, now 5,295 hectare area is under cultivation due to sand carpeting, water logging and irrigation problem observes in the project area.

Dominant cropping pattern of the project area is Fallow-Fallow-HYV Boro covering 95% of the NCA. The maximum cultivated area is covered with single and some double cropped area. So, cropping intensity of this area is increased, which is 107%. Detailed cropping pattern by land type under with project situation is presented in Table 4.2.

Agriculture Image Photo Gallery:-

Durbagass (Dog's Tooth Grass), Ghagra (Common Cocklebur), Hatisur (Indian Heliotrope), Helencha (Water Cress), Kalmi Shak (Swamp Morning-glory), Satamuli (Wild Asparagus).