Bangladesh Agriculture Research Articles

Green Revolution, Human Capital, and Off‐Farm Employment: Changing Sources of Income among Farm Households in Central Luzon, 1966–1994

Green Revolution, Human Capital, and Off‐Farm Employment: Changing Sources of Income among Farm Households in Central Luzon, 1966–1994

Climate change and sea level rise in Bangladesh, part II: Effects

Global climate is changing as a consequence of global warming clue to industrial, agricultural, and other human activities. The major effects of global warming are changes in the hydrological cycle and rise in sea level. Bangladesh is most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and sea level rise due to the low elevation of the land areas, the low gradient of the rivers, and exposure to the sea. It has been predicted by the application of a numerical model that there will be changes in the hydrodynamics of flow of the rivers in Bangladesh due to increase in river discharge and rise in sea level. As a result there will be significant effects on flooding, drainage, agriculture, tides, waves, and vital wetlands in Bangladesh. Probable critical effects on water resources planning and management are the focus of this article. Comprehensive management and sustainable use of resources will provide possible solutions to adapt to short‐ and long‐term changes.

Economic Assessment of Farm Power Technology with Particular Reference to Power Tiller Use in Bangladesh

The study has been carried out to appraise the financial and economic impact of substitution of draught animal power (DAP) by power tiller (PT) in Bangladesh agriculture. The substitution of technology has been assessed under three main farm sizes namely small, medium and large, and the crops considered are rice, wheat and jute. Two on farm financial measurement techniques namely Gross Margin (GM) and Partial Budgeting (PB) are used for this purpose. The gross margins of DAP system at all three farm levels have been found marginally greater than that of PT system whereas the net margins of PT system at the same farm levels have ended with higher margins, The partial budgets conclude in favour of substituting DAP by PT.

Impact of surface water management projects on agriculture in Bangladesh

Seventeen completed projects selected to represent the range of flood protection projects in Bangladesh were evaluated using both rapid rural appraisal (RRA) and formal sample methods. All but two projects achieved their intended objectives to some extent, but only nine would be economically viable under present public investment criteria for the Bangladesh water sector. RRAs proved effective in evaluating project impacts, even though a before-after comparison was necessary; the exception was where irrigation expanded generally after project completion. To be effective, RRAs need to have sufficient time and to comprise teams of well trained and experienced professionals from a range of disciplines.

Liberalization of agricultural input markets in Bangladesh: process, impact, and lessons

Abstract The study takes a historical perspective to trace the path of evolutionary reforms in agricultural input markets of Bangladesh. It estimates the magnitude of the impact of these reforms on rice production, the most important crop in Bangladesh agriculture. It is estimated that the production of rice could have been 20–32% lower than the level of 1992/1993, depending on the rice price that would have prevailed under alternative scenarios. The 20% credit to market reform relates to a real rice price level 19% higher than the actual 1992/1993 prices. The 32% credit to reform relates to the actual 1992/1993 price levels. The lower contribution of reform (20%) to increased production implies a loss to consumers not accounted for in the production benefit of reform, while the higher contribution (32%) of reform entails no loss to consumers. The bottom-line conclusion is that Bangladesh, without the market reforms described in the paper, would have reverted back to the situation of regular food crisis and high rice prices, as was the case historically. The analysis of the process of reform provides interesting lessons for developing countries. A gradual process based on a well-designed sequencing of various steps of market reform, particularly in the case of fertilizer, was a crucial factor for success. Careful monitoring during the period of transition is another crucial factor that has to be institutionalized in the system. Second generation problems of market reforms, particularly the emergence of an oligopolistic market structure, are possible and warrant a cautionary watch.

Liberalization of agricultural input markets in Bangladesh: process, impact, and lessons

AbstractThe study takes a historical perspective to trace the path of evolutionary reforms in agricultural input markets of Bangladesh. It estimates the magnitude of the impact of these reforms on rice production, the most important crop in Bangladesh agriculture. It is estimated that the production of rice could have been 20‐32% lower than the level of 1992/1993, depending on the rice price that would have prevailed under alternative scenarios. The 20% credit to market reform relates to a real rice price level 19% higher than the actual 1992/1993 prices. The 32% credit to reform relates to the actual 1992/1943 price levels. The lower contribution of reform (20%) to increased production implies a loss to consumers not accounted for in the production benefit of reform, while the higher contribution (32%) of reform entails no loss to consumers. The bottom‐line conclusion is that Bangladesh, without the market reforms described in the paper, would have reverted back to the situation of regular food crisis and high rice prices, as was the case historically.The analysis of the process of reform provides interesting lessons for developing countries. A gradual process based on a well‐designed sequencing of various steps of market reform, particularly in the case of fertilizer, was a crucial factor for success. Careful monitoring during the period of transition is another crucial factor that has to be institutionalized in the system. Second generation problems of market reforms, particularly the emergence of an oligopolistic market structure, are possible and warrant a cautionary watch.

Transfer of Technology Systems in Bangladesh Agriculture

Transfer of Technology Systems in Bangladesh Agriculture

Unseen workers: A sociocultural profile of women in Bangladesh agriculture

Abstract Although women in Bangladesh make a direct and equal contribution to that of men in agricultural production, their productive worth is not acknowledged by this male‐dominated society. Some principal reasons for the lack of recognition include the inferior social and religious status of women, seclusion through systematic segregation, negligible legal and property rights, sex discrimination in gaining access to economic activities, lack of valuation of women's activities, and absence of government policies regarding women's development. Male‐dominated Bangladesh society undervalues women's work by paying them less than men with the same workload and even with the same output. Credit is taken over by their male counterparts (husbands). This essay explores the possibilities of policies that would recognize women's labor and incorporate women in comprehensive development activities throughout Bangladesh.

An Analysis of Land Leasing in Bangladesh Agriculture

Previous articleNext article No AccessAn Analysis of Land Leasing in Bangladesh AgricultureM. A. Taslim and F. U. AhmedM. A. Taslim Search for more articles by this author and F. U. Ahmed Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Economic Development and Cultural Change Volume 40, Number 3Apr., 1992 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/451963 Views: 6Total views on this site Citations: 9Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1992 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Talan B. İşcan Redistributive Land Reform and Structural Change in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, American Journal of Agricultural Economics 100, no.33 (Jan 2018): 732–761.https://doi.org/10.1093/ajae/aax093Shaikh M.S.U. Eskander, Edward B. Barbier Tenure Security, Human Capital and Soil Conservation in an Overlapping Generation Rural Economy, Ecological Economics 135 (May 2017): 176–185.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.01.015Pekka K. Vallittu, Jukka P. Matinlinna Silane Based Concepts on Bonding Resin Composite to Metals, The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice 8, no.22 (Jan 2007): 1–8.https://doi.org/10.5005/jcdp-8-2-1Jon Reiersen Bargaining and Efficiency in Sharecropping, Journal of Agricultural Economics 52, no.22 (Nov 2008): 1–15.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-9552.2001.tb00921.xJon Reiersen , Journal of Agricultural Economics 52, no.22 ( 2001): 1.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-9552.2001.tb04518.xNomaan Majid The joint system of share tenancy and self‐cultivation: Evidence from Sind, Pakistan, Journal of Peasant Studies 25, no.33 (Apr 1998): 63–85.https://doi.org/10.1080/03066159808438675Michael Kevane Land tenure and rental in Western Sudan, Land Use Policy 14, no.44 (Oct 1997): 295–310.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-8377(97)00011-2T. Islam, M.A. Taslim Demographic pressure, technological innovation and welfare: The case of the agriculture of Bangladesh, Journal of Development Studies 32, no.55 (Jun 1996): 734–770.https://doi.org/10.1080/00220389608422438M. A. TASLIM A Survey of Theories of Cropshare Tenancy*, Economic Record 68, no.33 (Sep 1992): 254–275.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4932.1992.tb01772.x

Labour Absorption in Bangladesh Agriculture - Problems and Policies

Labour Absorption in Bangladesh Agriculture - Problems and Policies

An application and test for a random coefficient model in Bangladesh agriculture

AbstractThis paper deals with efficiency question by estimating four production functions for four different regions in connection with Bangladesh agriculture. Hildreth and Houck's (1968) random coefficient method was found more suitable than OLS after conducting an appropriate test for this. In contrast to earlier studies, 24 piece‐wise regressions have been fitted for each index of efficiency considering all four regions and six different ranges of farm size instead of a single regression so that the relationship could be studied more closely. The study clearly indicates higher efficiency for smaller farms.

Bangladesh agriculture: Growth, stability and poverty alleviation

AbstractThe challenges facing Bangladesh are: (a) how to accelerate agricultural growth through labour‐intensive technological progress and enlarged access to inputs, credits and assets on the part of the poor farmers, and (b) to prevent acute short‐term food deprivations by achieving a reasonable degree of stability of food supplies and prices. In order to make a dent on rural poverty the expansion of non‐farm rural employment in trade, services and rural industries and innovative public employment projects, as well as public food distribution schemes, targeted towards the poorest, are needed.

Real wage determination in Bangladesh agriculture: An econometric investigation

Thsi paper develops and estimates a real wage model for the agricultural sector in Bangladesh for the period 1973:2–1985:4. The model is developed within the framework of the market theory of labour demand and labour supply. The empirical results are supportive of the market theory of wages.

Sources of Labor Productivity in Bangladesh Agriculture

Sources of Labor Productivity in Bangladesh Agriculture

Impact of Risk on HYV Adoption in Bangladesh

AbstractThe objectives of this paper are to develop a measure of risk aversion based on the safety‐first principle. The risk coefficient for a large number of farmers was positive indicating the tendency towards gambling in Bangladesh agriculture. Farmers who were near subsistence income (disaster level of income) tended to choose riskier crops such as HYV rice. The risk‐aversion variable was highly correlated with demographic and socioeconomic variables. Large holders of land tended to be relatively more risk‐averse than small holders of land and area allocated to HYV proportionally declined with increases in holding size.A three‐equation model on HYV adoption decisions, fertilizer and hired labour was estimated with a risk‐aversion variable based on the safety‐first principle, and expected and significant signs were obtained with the risk‐aversion variable in HYV and hired labour equations.

Impact of risk on HYV adoption in Bangladesh

The objectives of this paper are to develop a measure of risk aversion based on the safety-first principle. The risk coefficient for a large number of farmers was positive indicating the tendency towards gambling in Bangladesh agriculture. Farmers who were near subsistence income (disaster level of income) tended to choose riskier crops such as HYV rice. The risk-aversion variable was highly correlated with demographic and socioeconomic variables. Large holders of land tended to be relatively more risk-averse than small holders of land and area allocated to HYV proportionally declined with increases in holding size. A three-equation model on HYV adoption decisions, fertilizer and hired labour was estimated with a risk-aversion variable based on the safety-first principle, and expected and significant signs were obtained with the risk-aversion variable in HYV and hired labour equations.

Input management ability, occupational patterns, and farm productivity in Bangladesh agriculture

Agricultural production involves the use of certain difficult‐to‐measure resource endowments of farmers in addition to observable physical inputs. This article proposes integrating a behavioural component ‐ input management ability ‐ into a production framework that can then be used to analyse the impact of farmers’ supervisory skills and efforts on farm productivity. The empirical analysis suggests that extension programmes may need to be broadened to teach more effective use of traditional as well as modern inputs and that extension services and delivery of modern inputs need to be directed more at traditional farmers than at those in touch with the modern sector.

Technical note. Agricultural, hydrologic and oceanographic studies in Bangladesh with NOAA AVHRR data

Abstract This paper presents some results of studies made with NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data in the fields of agriculture, hydrology and oceanography in Bangladesh. The techniques of processing the raw image data are also discussed. The data for four different dates in 1984 and 1985 have been used. The 1984 data were obtained from NOAA/NESDIS of U.S. A. and the 1985 data were received in real time at the SPARRSO Meteorological Satellite Ground Station. Data from the AVHRR channels 1 and 2 were used to calculate the vegetation index (normalized) which was found to be a useful tool for monitoring vegetation conditions from time to time. These data have also application in monitoring and studying flood conditions in and outside the country. The thermal channels of the AVHRR (channels 4 and 5) have been used for calculating the surface temperatures of the Bay of Bengal. These channels revealed some noteworthy surface features in the Bay.

Development Oriented Mechanization of Agriculture in Bangladesh. An Empirical Study at the Farm Level.

Development Oriented Mechanization of Agriculture in Bangladesh. An Empirical Study at the Farm Level.

Productivity, Poverty, and Population Pressure: Female Labor Deployment in Rice Production in Java and Bangladesh

In Java and Bangladesh, the two most densely settled agrarian economies on earth, rice is more than the chief source of food. Access to income for much of the rural population is governed by patterns of labor use in rice production. Even the largest farms in both countries are tiny by most standards, but a high proportion of the work force is hired. While agricultural wage laborers are not always the poorest of the poor, many are landless or near-landless. Despite these and other structural similarities, the performance of rice agriculture in the two countries has been very different. In comparison with that in Bangladesh, the Javanese rice sector has been a dazzling success. The main sources of growth have been fertilizer and irrigation expansion rather than the intensification of labor use per hectare. Indeed, it has long been maintained that the intensity of labor use in Javanese agriculture has been carried to extremes, although some claim that a reversal of this process is now underway (Collier). While there are wide regional differences in Bangladesh, rice production and productivity on average have tended to stagnate since the 1960s. In further contrast with Java, some maintain that the intensity of labor use in Bangladesh agriculture is much lower than it could be and that, while agriculture could not fully employ the labor force at its disposal, it could absorb more labor productively (Khan). A key difference between the two areas is that in Java women perform a high proportion of rice field operations, whereas in Bangladesh they do not. This paper seeks to show how the mobilization and deployment of female labor is crucial to understanding differences in the performance of the rice sector in the two countries and to assessing the distributional implications of changing patterns of rice production.