SAP PRODUCTION FROM KHEJUR PALM (PHOENIX SYLVESTRISROXB) HUSBANDRY: A SUBSTANTIAL MEANS OF SEASONAL LIVELIHOOD IN RURAL BANGLADESH

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Abstract
An exploratory study was conducted in Chuadanga, a southwestern district of Bangladesh to explore the status and potential of Khejur palm (Phoenix sylvestris Roxb.) husbandry in the rural economy. A total of 36 households in three villages of the district were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The farmers were categorized into five groups as landless, marginal, small, medium and large on the basis of their land holdings. The palm was distributed over seven different geographical sites of which orchards supported the most (20%). The farmers of medium category owned the most palms (33%) and the landless the fewest (4%), but most of the palms (29%) were managed by the landless category. Palms 7–14 years old growing in the agricultural fields and ails produced most sap (2500ml, on average each night). The large category farmers realized the highest average seasonal income from the palm products (Taka1 38,135.00), but the relative contribution to income from palm products was the highest (78%) among the landless farmers. Khejur palm husbandry could be a promising source of rural incomes in Bangladesh if the farmers' indigenous technology was linked to more scientific management practices.

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