Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Constraints on Turnaround Time in Bangladesh: a Regional Study (report # 3: Labour Constraints)

Alastir W Orr
Overseas Development Administration, UK
Overseas Development Administration, UK

Md. Mozzammel Haq
Senior Scientific Officer
Agricultural Engineering Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur-1701

ASM Nazrul Islam
Scientific Officer
Economics Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur-1701

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The hypothesis of labour constraints on turnaround time between aus and T. aman was investigated. The results showed that the peak period of labor demand for harvesting occurred between 19-25 August after the harvest of “China” (BRRI and Purbachi). The peak period for transplanting occurred between 2-8 September. The major labour constraint was found to lie with transplanting. Transplanting aus created a lahour constraint for farms between 3-5 acres. Transplanting aman created a labour constraint for both small and large farms, for different reasons. Small farms below 3 acres used more family labour for harvesting, hired out more of their own labour working for others, and faced a cash constraint hiring in extra labour. Large farms above 5 acres, on the other hand, had problems hiring in enough labour for transplanting, partly because labourers earned higher wages harvesting modern aus. We conclude that since labour constraints are faced not just by large farms but by all farm sizes, the potential for mechanization seems limited. The most promising solution would seem to lie with new varieties of modern aus. A direct seeded modern variety would increase the area under modern aus on farms between 3-5 acres, while a shorter duration variety of modern aus would reduce the labour constraint faced by small and large farms by allowing more time for transplanting.

Keywords: Labour constraint, Farm, Tansplanting and harvesting, Aus and aman season

Location: Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur-1701

Start Date: 01-06-1985

End Date: 22-09-1985

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Analysis and interpretations

Objectives:

To identify the nature of the labour constraint during turnaround time between aus and T. aman

Methodology:

The survey was conducted by the BRRI Economics and Engineering Divisions between 1 June and 22 September 1985 in the BRRI project Area, a consolidated block of 11 Unions of four Upazillas in Dhaka District to identify the nature of the labour constraint during turnaround time between aus and T. aman. Six villages, all in Joydebpur Upazilla, were purposively selected after consultation with Block Supervisors. The villages selected were rainfed, not irrigated, growing a mixture of modern and local varieties, and situated some way from the roadside. The villages were: Bhogra West, Kamarjudi, Chandpara, Zolarpara, and Naga East. Lists of farmers growing both aus and aman were made for each village, and a simple random sample selected for survey, using random number tables.

Source of Information: Report # 3: Labour Constraints by Economics Division, BRRI, June 1986

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The main objective of this report was to identify the nature of the labour constraint during turnaround time between aus and T. aman. In particular, the report tried to answer two questions: which farm operation posessed the greatest labour constraints and which farmers faced the constraint? Altogether, 11 hypotheses were formulated and tested. The results are summarized. If this analysis is correct, then the potential for mechanization to reduce labour constraints seems limited. Labour constraints are experienced not just by large farms for which mechanization is feasible, but also by small and medium sized farms which are too poor to hire in sufficient labour for transplanting. At best, mechanization would provide an indirect solution by reducing the need for hired labour on large farms. The most promising solution, therefore, would seem to lie with new varieties of modern aus. Direct seeded modern aus would allow farms between 3-5 acres to increase the area under the modern aus-local aman pattern. Similarly, a shorter duration modern aus which could be harvested earlier would extend the time available for transplanting before 31 August, the cut off date for BR11. This would reduce competition for labour after the harvest of modern aus and allow both small and large farms more time for transplanting.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings