CHAPTER-3
METHODOLOGY
3.1. General
A field study on tea cultivation with associated crops in the tea estates and their management : a study on malnicherra tea garden was carried out during the period of April to may, 2009. The study was based on primary and secondary data with pretest questionnaire.
3.2. Selection of the study area:
There are 163 tea garden in Bangladesh. Malnicherra Tea Garden in the Sylhet region is the most pioneer tea garden in Bangladesh, established in 1857. So, I selected this garden purposively for my study.
3.3. Location:
Malnicherra tea estate of Bangladesh is situated 3.5 km to the north from the Sylhet metropolitan city under the Sylhet Sadar Upozila lies within range between 24043/ and 25002/ north latitude and 91040/ and 92002/ east longitude. The total area of Sylhet sadar Upozila is about 517.43sq.km of which Malnicherra Tea Estate occupies about 1000.8 hectare. Companiganj, Goainghat and Jaintapur Upozilas are to the north, Balaganj and Fenchuganj Upozilas are to the south, Jaintapur and Golapganj upozilas are to the east. Chatak and Biswanath Upazilas are to the west. The main rivers are Surma and Kushiara.
3.4. Soil:
Soil of the study area is sandy to sandy loam along with moderate acidic. The ph value varies from 4.5 to 5.5.
Figure 3.1: Map of the Study Site (Banglapedia 2005)
3.5. Climate characteristics:
Warm as well as humid climate is prevailing in the study area. The study site is located in high rainfall prone region. The mean annual rainfall is 3931 mm most of which falls between June to September. January is the coolest month of the year, with temperature and April the warmest month, with average maximum and minimum temperature ranging between 380C and 18.90 C. (BBS/UNDP, 2005)
3.6. Reconnaissance survey:
Field survey was done in the selected tea estate before making questionnaire and research planning. At this stage information was collected from the respective manager of the tea estate and also physically observes the real condition. Discussion with the tea workers was also made to explore necessary information for research planning and questionnaire preparation
3.7. Secondary data collection:
Background information, data and maps were collected as per exploring and utilizing various sources viz. Internet, office of the tea garden, BTRI office, SUST library (central and seminar library) personal communication etc. Relevant formations about the study were collected from different books, article, Journals, brochures, thesis, newspaper etc.
3.8. Collection of primary data:
The study period spans over one months ranging from 20th april to 19th may 2009. Primary data were collected through field survey using prepared semi structured questionnaire, interviews and observation. Preliminary information was collected through direct observation, interviews and questionnaire survey of tea worker, estate employee.
To determine the number of trees per hectare of rubber (Hevea spp), Kanthal (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and Acacia (Acacia spp.), (10×10) m plot were taken. Nine plots were taken for every species.
Sample plots were collected purposively from the tea estate where the average condition of these plants exists.
3.9. Sorting of data:
Finally all the information gathered from the field were analyzed carefully .All the secondary data were sorted carefully and then only the necessary and relevant information were set aside for compilation and analysis to avoid unnecessary bulk of the paper. Intensive care was taken regarding the applicability, reliability and variability of information.
3.10. Compilation and analysis of data:
After sorting data were compiled and then analyzed through statistically and graphically with the aid of calculator and some computer package programs viz. MS-Word, MS Excel etc to have the out come of the data.
