MODERN TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION BY THE RICE FARMERS IN THE SOUTH-WEST REGION OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Modern technology adoption usually leads to an increase in agricultural productivity. The rate of this technology adoption might vary depending on diverse agro-economic and socio-political factors. This study attempts to scrutinize the pattern and level of technology adoption by the rice farmers in the south-west region of Bangladesh. Descriptive and inferential analytical techniques are applied using cross-sectional data collected from randomly selected 120 rice-producing farmers in the south-west region of Bangladesh using a pre-tested interview questionnaire. The surveyed farmers have more than 23 years of farming experience on average. Study findings indicate that around 87 percent of the farming households have adopted modern technologies in terms of improved seed, irrigation management, and chemical fertilizer use in the study area. The ratio decreases to around 60 percent if the adoption of harvesting technology is considered. The farmers are lagging far behind to adopt mechanization in the land preparation phase in terms of tractor use. The technology adopter farmers observe that their intensity of technology adoption has increased over the time period. The study findings exhibit that the intensity of technology adoption is higher for the farmers who have better credit access and have engagement in the farmers’ group compared to others. Moreover, farmers who have received farm management training adopt modern technology more intensively than other farmers. This study identifies the backwardness of harvesting and land preparation phases in terms of technology adoption. It also finds that socio-economic circumstances and institutional issues trigger technology adoption decisions.