A Conceptual Model of Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Coastal Bangladesh: A Case of Shrimp Aquaculture “'M, Salequzzaman, 'M. N. Uddin, 'M.A. Islam and 7M. A. Chowdhury ‘Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University *School of Environment, Resources and Development, Mail Box-159, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand Abstract This paper mainly focuses on sustainability aspects of agricultural system in Bangladesh and how this has to fit in sustainable agriculture through presentation of the conceptual model of shrimp aquaculture in coastal Bangladesh. The main concern regarding agriculture is to follow the principles of sustainability. It shows the measures of agriculture sustainability by the economic and physical methods. It identifies the different influencing factors towards agriculture sustainability. In case of shrimp aquaculture in coastal Bangladesh, this paper sets three sustainability dimensions in relation with economic, social and ecology and it also makes the quantification of the associated indicators regarding the sustainability dimensions. With this regard, a conceptual model of sustainable shrimp aquaculture in coastal Bangladesh has been developed that involves an environmental impact assessment with social and economic issues. Finally, it is said that the sustainable agriculture should be followed by the renewable methods that enhance the resource base for future generations. Key Words: Agriculture, Sustainal ility, Conceptual model, Coastal Bangladesh Introduction ‘The economy of Bangladesh is primarily dependent on agriculture. About 84% of the total population live in ural areas and are directly or indirectly engaged in a wide range of agricultural activities, such as horticulture, rice cultivation, aquaculture, livestock, etc. (Muhammad, 2000). Agriculture sector plays ant important role in the economy of the country accounting for 31.6% of total GDP in 1997-98 that comprises crops, forests, fisheries and livestock. It generates 63.2% of total national employment, of which crop sector's share is nearly 55% (BBS, 1998). Agricultural exports of primary products constituted 10.4% of total exports of the country in 1997-98 (Muhammad, 2000) whereas it contributed about 3% to the economic growth in the past decade (World Bank, 1997). Thus it plays the single largest contributor to income and employment generation and a vital element in Bangladesh to achieve self-sufficiency in food production for reducing rural poverty and faster sustainable economic development. ‘The main elements of present boom agricultural development in Bangladesh are the adoption of high yielding varieties (HYV) of transplanted aman and the cultivation of summer boro in rotation with aman. Both of this intensification is enabled by the rapid spread of groundwater irrigation, mainly in the form of shallow tube wells or mini-submersible tube wells. In addition to the removal of fertilizer subsidies, the government is trying to increase private sector involvement in the market for irrigation equipment. This seems a positive response towards a boom production in agriculture development. However, a complete different scenario has been seen in coastal Bangladesh where uncontrolled and unsustainable practices of shrimp aquaculture have been practiced, instead of balanced agriculture production. But in the process of shrimp aquaculture, recently there is an increase of land under irrigation, conversion of pond and implementation of the crop diversification program (CDP) including aquaculture practice. All these factors have promising results in the yield of agricultural production including maize, pulses, oilseeds, potatoes, vegetables, livestock, and aquaculture. In all of these systems, the question is: are the benefits equal or not or necessarily sustainable to local farmers or ecology or socially acceptable by the stakeholders? Sustainability of high yields and environmental protection are of principal concerns towards natural resources management along with the compromising the environmental degradation such as loss of productivity. Thus, this paper mainly focuses on sustainability aspects of agricultural system in Bangladesh and how this has to fit in sustainable agriculture through presentation of the conceptual model of shrimp aquaculture in coastal Bangladesh. Concept of Agricultural Sustainability The idea of sustainability recalls the logic of practice, through which effects viewed as desirable are made to happen rather than a concept built to explain reality. Different meanings have been associated with this * Corresponding Author : Professor, Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.A Conceptual Model of Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Coastal Bangladesh notion since the Brundtland Report introduced it to international public debate in 1987 (WCED, 1987). ‘According to AtKisson (1999) sustainability has developed on seven principles, such as: 1. Think long term: Sustainability is not just about next year or next decade, but about generational time- scales. 2. Understand systems: Everything of natural system is linked together. The dynamics of systems include feedback loops. The effect of one system influences the component of other system. It is very much difficult to show in one picture. 3. Recognize limits: Once upon a time the human world was small and nature was big. Limits to physical growth were extremely far away. But now the pressure of human population extends the limit of carrying capacity in natural system. So, we must recognize the limit of any action to do. 4. Protect Nature: We depend on nature for life. We should not do any development works ignoring the nature, We must protect it for our future generation. 5. Transform business-as-usual: Industrial activities do not follow the sustainability criteria those are needed to follow. It acts just as business theme. As a result, it hampers the real sustainability. We should Keep in mind that resources are limited. So, business will be run following the sustainability rules. 6. Practice fairness: Sustainability equals fairness over time. If we are truly fair to nature, to each other, and to future generations, sustainability would happen automatically. 7. Embrace creativity: Sustainability compensates enormous changes that humanity makes, it_means cimbracing what the creative imperative. We have to be inventive and creative. Sustainable agricultural systems are an essential foundation for rural development in most of the world. Sustainability requires that systems should be environmentally sound, financially and economically feasible, and socially acceptable. Again, these are characterized as those that can indefinitely meet demands for food and fiber at socially acceptable economic and gnvironmental costs (Diebel et al., 1993). ‘Methodology of Assessing Sustainability of Agriculture in Bangladesh ‘There are two measures of sustainability to be considered: the economic and the physical. One measure has devoted considerable efforts to development of economic measures, while another provides an insight into determination of the physical as related to the soil resource used in agriculture (Francis ef al., 1997). An ‘economic measurement of sustainability is difficult, as there are several viewpoints to consider. It is stated that two general views prevail concerning sustainability in agriculture, one by consumers and another is by producers. Consumers view sustainability refers its capacity to provide an abundance of quality food. Producers view sustainability refers as an income generating activity with economic and social value. The ‘concern they have is the maintaining a net return from the sale of agricultural products. In economic terms, Consumers assess sustainability in terms of maintaining a level of consumer surplus in the consumption of food over time. On the other hand, in economic terms, producers regard sustainability as the maintenance of ‘a producer surplus or economic rent (return to factors used in production) over time. This dichotomy of interest provides a basis of conflict and attracts attention to the difficulty experienced when trying to measure sustainability. From the consumer's standpoint, security of the food supply is the upper most particularly among those who have previously experienced shortages or indeed famine. Measurement of the ‘value of food security becomes almost impossible. Time preference becomes a complicating factor as does trying to aggregate the preferences of individuals. The attempt to measure sustainability in terms of food security should be abandoned (Chowdhury et al., 2005). Therefore it is a generalized argument that sustainability may be measured in terms of the flow of income from agricultural production. Because the society regards that the sustainability is means of all the costs and benefits of production. Particular issues that are raised when measuring sustainability are the discount rate; private versus social costs (negative externalities); non-market benefits (positive externalities); econom flexibility; and incomelrisk preferences. In addition to maintaining a producer surplus is the need to sustain farm families. Furthermore, sustainability must be measured taking into account uncertainty. Therefore, the clasticity of supply (the change in output relative to a change in price) may be a relevant indicator of sustainability. Output in response to price changes is impacted by technologies and available inputs. Factors Influencing the Sustainable Agriculture in Bangladesh Many factors influence the sustainability of agricultural systems, but institutional support systems and technologies are particularly important. Scientists, producers, researchers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have increasingly sought to identify, validate and implement practical farming technologies and methods which mect the sustainability criteria. This has been especially true in developing countries like Bangladesh where chronic rural poverty is often closely linked to a rapidly degrading resource base, In this sense, enhancing the sustainability and productivity of agricultural systems are the key to 93Salequzzaman et al. conservation of natural resources and to reduction of rural poverty in coastal Bangladesh (Salequzzaman, 2001). Modern technologies such as improved varieties and chemical inputs have helped spur yields among some farmers, but these do not prevent erosion nor do many-armers possess the financial resources to use them. With increasing population and decreasing availability of new land to exploit, maintaining adequate fallows has become increasingly difficult and continuous cropping has become common place. This has resulted in a vicious cycle of soil degradation, crop yield dectines, further pressure on available lands to generate required food supplies, and often, migration out of agriculture. In addition, it is said that any low-cost innovations, not requiring large capital investments and relatively easy to implement, can help poor farm households become more productive by improving fallow management and increasing yields (Hussain, 2001). Sustainability Assessment of Coastal Shrimp Aquaculture in Bangladesh The study has identified a set of indicators for shrimp aquaculture sustainability in coastal Bangladesh. ‘These indicators are divided into three sustainability dimensions: economic, social and ecological. These indicators are selected through the analysis of relative availability of data representing the indicators, sensitivity (0 stress on the system, existence of threshold value and guidelines, productivity, imegratability and known response to disturbances, anthropogenic stresses, and change over time (Salequzzaman, 2001). However the criteria such as the continuity of supply and quality inputs (eg. feed, seed etc), the social, environmental, and economic costs of providing the inputs (eg. depletion of resources), the long term continuity (sustainability) of production, financial viability, social acceptance and impact, environmental impact and efficiency of conversion of resources into outputs have been considered to assess the sustainability the coastal shrimp aquaculture (Fig 1). BOD, Total Kjeldhal Nitrogen (TKN) ‘Ammonia N, Nitite N, Nitrate N Pond water 17) Total P, Soluble Reactive P (SRP) and effluent ‘Organic Matter, Salinity quality “Texture, pl, Ecological/ Total N, Total P, Organic Matter environmental |) [Soit quality _[~ L_ Ekectical conductivity subsystem indicators ete pe iodivesit Degradation eporee of natural ‘Education and research oa = roseneor ay g ef [produc | Yet Se Inpat-output efficiency Frepeabally Cost-bencit ratio a 2 indicators Contnaton of roucon cout Conlon of ecm Key stakeholders of shrimp farming Stakeholders’ Stakeholders’ pereption attitudes ‘Technical knowledge Ecological/conservation knowledge Socio- cultural Employment subsystem and equity Employment opportunity Per capita income indicators Organization al structure Equality in income distribution Equal access to resources Fig 1: Selected indicators for assessing sustainability of shrimp aquaculture in Bangladesh. 94