Vol. 3, Issue 6, Part G (2017)

Abstract
To get an idea about the existing farming practices of the farmers of the site a base line survey was undertaken. This survey covered crop, livestock, fisheries, homestead, and agro forestry with data pertaining to 50 farmers from the three villages of Gouripur Upazila, Mymensingh. The data refers to the input & output details and other socio-economic characteristics of farm households in the crop year 2011-2012. Data were collected by using simple random sampling technique. The result of the baseline survey showed that out of 50 sample farmers landless (less than 0.02 ha), marginal (0.021ha to 0.2 ha), small (0.21ha to 1 ha), medium (less than 3 ha) and large (above 3 ha) farmer were 3, 7, 22, 14 and 4, respectively. Four types of major farming systems exist in the Farming System Research and Development (FSRD) site. Among the farming systems in the study area maximum sample farmers (15 farmers) practiced the farming system (Crop + Livestock + Poultry + Fisheries) which were about 30 percent among the farmers. The main cropping pattern in the site was Boro-fallow-T. Aman, Fallow- Fallow- T. Aman, Vegetable-Fallow- T. Aman. Out of three cropping patterns, net return was the highest in Boro-fallow-T. Aman, (Tk.50635 ha^-1) followed by Fallow– Fallow- T. Aman (Tk.15165.8 ha^-1), Vegetable- Fallow- T. Aman (Tk.7691 ha^-1). On an average per farm total net return were from livestock Tk.17270 and from poultry Tk. 564 for the year 2011–2012 and tilapia farming net return was Tk. 47800. Income generating activities of the site was crop, livestock, fisheries, poultry, and off-farm and non-farm activities. Off-farm income was higher compared to farm income in case of landless farmer. On the other side farm income was higher compared to non-farm income for the small, medium and large farm. In the site farmers had several problems in there farming practices such as, lack of knowledge about new crop variety/technology, quality seeds / fingerlings / duck links, credit facilities, feed of fish, livestock and poultry and Lack of knowledge about homestead vegetables production etc.