Weed And Wealth In Muda

Abstract

The shift in crop establishment method from transplanted to direct seeded rice culture taking place in many parts of Asia has resulted in growing problems of weed infestations. This paper discusses the problems of weed infestations experienced by farmers in five villages within the Muda Irrigation Scheme. It argues that the problems of weeds - reducing yield and increasing the cost of production - is unevenly spread among farmers and villages. Whereas the weed problem could be described as insignificant in two of the villages studied, it was found to be a serious problem in two other villages leaving one village with a moderate weed problem. The study shows that within village areas, which experience high levels of weed infestations, there is an uneven distribution of the problem among different farm categories. More well-to-do farmers experience less problems of weed infestations. On the other hand, the resource-poor farmers are seriously affected. The findings imply that small-scale and less well-to-do farmers, who traditionally have been able to substitute labour for capital, presently, are the loosers under the new conditions of cultivation.