Comparative Profitability and Productivity Analysis of Rice Production in Coastal and Arable Land Areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

This study aims to compare the productivity and profitability of rice production in coastal and arable land areas in Bangladesh while analyzing the factors influencing productivity and profitability. It seeks to provide insights into the differences in agricultural outcomes between these two types of land, essential for policy formulation and agricultural development. The research employs a stratified random sampling method to gather primary data from six villages in Gopalganj and Khulna districts, targeting 30 farmers from each village. Cobb-Douglas profit and production function analysis is utilized to estimate the impact of various factors such as seed cost, labor cost, fertilizer cost, insecticide cost, ploughing cost, and irrigation cost on profitability. The study reveals significant differences in productivity and profitability between coastal and arable land areas for rice cultivation. It identifies key factors affecting productivity and profitability, emphasizing the importance of policy support for enhancing the quality of inputs to bridge yield gaps and improve rice crop outcomes. One limitation of this research is the focus on specific regions within Bangladesh, potentially limiting the generalizability of findings to other areas. Additionally, the study may not capture all variables influencing productivity and profitability due to data constraints. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to support farmers in improving productivity and profitability. This research contributes to the existing literature by offering empirical evidence on the productivity and profitability dynamics of rice production in coastal and arable land areas in Bangladesh.