Md. Moniruzzaman’s scientific contributions

Agriculture is the driving force of the economy of Bangladesh where two third of the arable land is inundated in monsoon due to low lying of geographical position and adverse effect of climate. A part of these monsoon wetlands are used for floating cultivation by the local farmers for their livelihood which is commonly known as "Vasoman Chash", a method of hydroponics. This century aged traditional agricultural method is being practiced in haor regions of Bangladesh. Matured water hyacinth is the most important component for making raft or bed for floating cultivation. Paddy straw, Son ghash (Imperata cylindrica), Noll ghash (Hamerthria protensa), Topapana (Pista stratiotes), ash twigs and desiccated coconut fibers are also used for making bed. The water hyacinth is collected from nearby wetlands and prepared bed and finally allowed 15 to 20 days for decomposition before cultivation. A ball /guti/tema is prepared by soft rotten Durali or Salvinia, where seeds are inserted for germination and finally covered with rotten water hyacinth and allowed for seedlings. After 5-6 days when seedlings attained 5-6 inches long, are transferred to the floating bed. Bamboos are usually used as anchorage to keep beds fixed in a place during the monsoon and then bed is ready for growing of various kinds of vegetables. This indigenous floating bed cultivation technology can mitigate food insecurity, poverty and adverse effects of global warming.

The aim of this study was to calculate the cost benefit analysis and economic viability of seedling production on the floating bed at Nazirpur Upazila in Pirojpur district of Bangladesh. The study area was selected purposively and 50 households (HHs) were surveyed through purposive sampling technique from a population of 80 households. From the results of those primary data, it was found that 68% farmers were engaged in seedling production as business purpose, and 30% as both own and business, 21 vegetables and spices seedlings were cultivated in the studied area. Average per square meter cost for floating seedling cultivation found BDT (Bangladeshi taka) 281 and benefit was BDT 401. The net benefit of floating agriculture found BDT 120 and with a BCR of 1.43. Income from floating seedlings mainly utilized in winter vegetable cultivation (Kandi), mainstream agriculture, business, house development and land purchase etc. Fifty percent (50%) of the floating farmers mentioned various constraints regarding floating seedling production such as lack of government aid, higher interest from NGOs and lack of capital. Among the surveyed respondents, 64% agreed that floating cultivation is effective to combat climate change and 76% replied as beneficial to the environment. Although floating agriculture is an indigenous age-old practice in the South-western region of Bangladesh, it can be replicated with the help of subsidy and agro-technology.