ECONOMIC SITUATION:

The economy of Naogaon is mainly agro-based, although non-farm economic activities are contributing some share in the development oriented program of the zila.

Crops: CROP PRODUCTION is the estimated amount of crop harvested and transferred at the first delivery point. Out of total 4,41,506 holdings of the zila, 66.71% holdings are farms that produce varieties of crops namely local and HYV paddy, wheat, pulses, mustard, potato, different kinds of vegetables, jute, sugarcane, spices and other minor crops. It is a district well known for jute trade. The major agricultural comprise Aus (HYV Aus was produced in 64,212 holdings in 1996 and 16,130 in 1983-84), Aman (HYV Aman was produced in 279,811 holdings in 1996 and 28,410 in 1983-84), Boro (HYV Boro was produced in 246,582 holdings in 1996 and 87,526 in 1983-84), Jute, Wheat. Among the crops paddy, wheat, different kinds of vegetables, mustard, spices and jute occupied 85.18%, 4.84%, 3.28%, 2.23%, 1.44% and 1.34% respectively of the total gross cropped area (The GROSS CROPPED AREA represents the aggregate area of various crops raised in the same farmland during the census year) of the zila. Among rice crops, Aman covers by far the largest area followed by Boro and Aus[1]. In 1996, 91,152 farm holdings were under Aus, 402,326 farm holdings were under Aman, 267,972 farm holdings were under Boro, 43,232 farm holdings were under Wheat, 458 farm holdings were under minor cereals such as oat, barley, cheena, maize, kaun, bajra, joar, etc. Rabicrops include Mustard, Khesari, Masur, Mash, Potato, Sesame, Gram, Spices, Barley, Maize, Tobacco, Sugarcane etc. Spices were produced in 12,875 holdings in 1996, Pulses were produced in 5,105 holdings in 1996, Oil seeds were produced in 21,608 holdings in 1996 and 20,672 in 1983-84 and Cash crops such as jute, mesta, shon, cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, etc. were produced in 19,907 holdings in 1996 and 29,272 in 1983-84. Comparing, we find that HYV Aus, Aman, Boro, oil seed production increased while cash crop production decreased in respective years.

In addition, homestead thickets, shrubberies and backyards with planted trees often give support to many climbers and twiners. Shim (Lablab purpureus) is the most commonly grown although winged bean is also occasionally planted. Pui (Basella rubra) are planted for its leafy greens. Moreover, some other plants are grown at the homesteads mainly for aesthetic purposes. By definition, AREA NOT AVAILABLE for cultivation includes barren or mountainous land, area under roads, canals, sites of villages, houses, etc., or otherwise area put to uses alien to agriculture. Similarly, area under forest is any land, which is covered by trees, permanent pastures, game sanctuaries and also those areas, which fall administratively under Revenue and Forest Departments. Anyway, there are also many road side trees in Naogaon. Anyone walking around Khagarkuri village of Naogaon district, will certainly be wonder-struck  on seeing the green belt on both sides of the road stretching across the village. It is the poor village - women who, facilitated by Proshika into Shapla and Sonali Samitis (groups), had done this to the surprise of passers-by.

Production estimates of vegetables and fruits include the quantity for fresh market and processing use. Vegetables such as patal, lobry, sasha, jhinga, karala, humra, lau, kachu, shaks, tarmuj, bangi, potato, kopys, begun, mula, carrot, beans, tomato, chichinga, turnip, etc. were total produced in 29,327 holdings in 1996.

Various fruits like mango (Mangifera Indica), banana, jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), tal (palm – Barassus flabillifer), coconut (Cocoo nasifera), betelnut, kalojam (Syzygium cumini), piyara (Psidium guajava), jambura (Citrus grandis), kamranga, jalpai, supari (Areca catechu) etc are grown. Tal palms are abundant in the Barind portion of the zila. Bamboo and Mango are plentiful around homesteads. The fields are often bordered with Banana.

Besides, the cultivation of hemp plant (Cannabas sativa) is a specialty of the Naogaon zila. The plant yields 3 narcotic products called Ganja, Charas, and Bhang.

Note that, ACREAGE IN CROP is the total acreage standing in a specific crop regardless of age or condition unless it has been declared abandoned by the operator. ACREAGE HARVESTED is the total area harvested or partially harvested during the reporting period.  A permanent or semi-permanent planting that was harvested for only a portion of the year is counted in its entirety.  Acreage lost before maturity due to natural or economic factors is not included.  Acreage harvested and planted repeatedly during the year is counted each time. YIELD is the average production per acre of merchantable quality harvested and sold or utilized.  This is derived by dividing total production by harvested acres.

Agricultural inputs: 230,366 reported holdings, 64.46% of cultivated area irrigated – on an average having 2.18 acre irrigated per holding and 271,968 reported holdings, 89.32% of cultivated area used fertilizer according to 1996 census, net fertilized area being 523,473. Naogaon had 7,351 deep-tube wells were in 7,179 reported holdings, 35,809 low-lift pump in 33.042 reported holdings, 6,429 power pumps in 6,144 reported holdings – total 81,236 holding reporting use of modern implements, 67,595 non-mechanized irrigation tools in 53,520 reported holdings, 3,309 power tillers in 3,236 reported holdings, 2,237 tractors in 1,995 reported holdings. The natural fodder crops and fodder grasses that are grown as temprary crops and fed to the cattle are known as fodder. 5 holdings produced fodder. Note that, area reported is the area covered by district record. The difference between the geographical area and the area reported is the area not reported.

Fish resource: Ponds, creeks, beels, and rivers of the zila are natural habitat for fish population. The principal types of fishes are rui (Labco rohita), catla (Catla catla), kalbaush (Labes calbaus), mrigel (Cirrhina mrigala), koi (Anabas testudineus), shing (Heteropneustes fossilis), magur (Clarius batrachus), air (Mystas aor), boal (Wallago atu), pangas (Pangas pangasius), saul (Ophicephalus striaxtus), bele (Eleotris ambinensis), chital (Natopterous), pabda, tengra (Mystus vittatus), phati (Notopterus notopterus), etc. In addition, some exotic varieties of fish such as tilapia, nilotica, silver carp, grass carp etc. are being cultivated in the zila. The Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), an autonomous organisation under the MOFL, was established in 1984 and has six stations, one located at Santahar (Naogaon).

Livestock and Birds: By definition, LIVESTOCK OPERATION is defined as a place that has one or more head of the species on hand at any time during the year.  It does not have to meet the definition of a farm. LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION is the estimated amount of livestock and livestock products sold.  This includes allowance for amount used on farms where produced. Livestock and poultry are the subsidiary sources of household income here. Cattle (total 601,626 in 1983-84, and 578,051 in 1996 – 207,811 holding reported), Buffalo (total 30,671 in 1996 – 14,900 holding reported), Sheep (total 97,655 in 1996 – 30,882 holding reported), Goat (total 527,629 in 1983-84, and 378,345 in 1996 – 141,814 holding reported) are the main livestock in Naogaon – on an average having 3 cattle, 2 buffalo, 3 goat, 3 sheep, 8 fowl, 4 duck per household. Also, there are some mammalian fauna frequently seen in the countryside of the Naogaon zila which are not economically significant (however, a variety of rats, monkeys and bats are found here which have negative effects on different crops). Once many different species of birds used to be seen in the countryside, but now their numbers are being reduced significantly because of the reduction of bio-diversity through damage to the environment. Fowls (total 1,800,115 in 1983-84, and 2,503,444 in 1996 – 309,383 holding reported) and Ducks (total 826,930 in 1996 – 194,576 holding reported) are the main poultry in Naogaon. However, a large number of migratory birds visit during winter season. They are usually seen in wet land areas and some are seen in the swamps and beels of Naogaon zila.

Agricultural Labor Households: There are 137,671 agricultural labor households (31.18% of the holdings) with 62,702 farm holdings (45.55%) and 74,968 non-farm holdings (54.45%) according to 1996 Census. Total 777,412 persons were engaged in agricultural work. 239,166 male and 114,515 female were self-employed along with 138,735 male and 94,065 female un-paid farm helpers or family helpers.

Operated Area: In 1996 census, Naogaon had 294,537 total farm holding. There are 651,851 operated area (3.18% of the country) with 568,175 or 98.66% in the farm holdings (31.69% for small, 44.4% for medium, 23.92% for large farm holdings) according to 1996 Census. Compared to agricultural census 1983-84, there were 671,136 operated area (2.92% of the country) with 664,418 or 99% in the farm holdings. Therefore, we see, although operated area increased, non-farm holding is increasing only while decreasing farm holdings.

INTENSITY OF CROPPING represents the ratio of the gross cropped area to the net temprary cropped area expressed in terms of percentage. It includes the extent to which the same area is used for cropping. Thus the intensity of cropping is determined as -  Intensity of Cropping = gross cropped area / net temprary cropped area. 572,742 net temporary cropped area (97.7% of net cultivated area), 568,163 net cultivated area (3.3% of the country total) and 893,977 gross cropped area (3.12% of the country total) and intensity of cropping is 156.1 (170.6 for small, 153.7 for medium, 141.9 for large farm holdings). In 1983-84, intensity of cropping was 139.5 (155.3 for small, 139.2 for medium, 129.2 for large farm holdings). Therefore, intensity of cropping increased in all respect. People are now more concerned about utilizing lands. Total homestead area is 25,960, 1.96% of the country total in 1996, decreased from 2.17% according to 1983-84.

Non-agricultural Activities: Non-agricultural activities are still at an early stage. Broad types of non-farm activities that are developing in Naogaon zila are: manufacturing (10,810 units), wholesale and retail trade, restaurant and hotels (14,354 units), finance, Insurance, real estate, business services (619 units), community, social, and personal services (11,304 units) engaging 101,696 persons (87.29% male and 12.71% female)[2].

In 1996 census, there were 3,009 holdings for handloom, 633 holdings for blacksmith, 697 holdings for pottery, 904 holdings for bamboo-cane work, 551 holdings for wood work, 138 holdings for brass work, 368 holdings for jute-cotton work, 2,426 holdings for other industries – total being 8,726 holdings for cottage industry with 8,563 male and 163 female headed reported cottage industry.