Understanding factors associated with agricultural mechanization: A Bangladesh case

Abstract

Bangladesh is heralded as a success story in terms of smallholder agricultural mechanization enabled by appropriate small-scale machinery and policy. Using data collected in 2013 from 630 farm households in the coastal delta of South-West Bangladesh, this study assesses the factors associated with the adoption of small-scale machine types, particularly irrigation pumps, threshers and power tillers (two-wheel tractors). We use a multivariate probit model to account for the interdependence of machine type use and show the likelihood of adoption to be enhanced by the farmers’ economic position, market access and participation in off-farm work. Critically, machinery ownership is not necessary for their use as most farmers hire these machine services. Key policy implications are to facilitate machinery access and use by enabling the development of small-scale machinery and custom hiring services, and enhancing farmers’ income through access to markets, knowledge and off-farm income generating opportunities.