Capacity Building of the Vegetable and Rice Farmers in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study examines changes in the profitability and capacity building of vegetables and rice producers in Bangladesh resulting from the intervention of a group of experts from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA worked for four years in the Comilla model project area and launched a program to improve agricultural practices and motivate local farmers to adopt innovative practices. This study examines the profitability and capacity building of these farmers using the criteria of net return, benefit cost ratio, and regression analysis. Our results show that both vegetable and rice producers in the project area experienced a significant increase in profitability compared to farmers outside the project area. Also, both vegetable and rice producers in the project area have significantly increased their capacity in terms of technical, social, human, natural and financial capital when compared to farmers outside the project area. These results indicate the positive impact of the intervention of JICA experts on the Comilla model project area.