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Impact of Farm Mechanization on Potato Production and Labour Use Pattern in Some Selected Areas of Bangladesh

MONIRUZZAMAN
Senior Scientific Officer

M. A. RASHID
Principal Scientific Officer

M. A. MATIN
Senior Scientific Officer

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Mechanization in potato cultivation implies the use of various power sources and improved farm tools and equipment, with a view to reduce the drudgery of the human beings and draught animals. Studies on this issue are scarce in Bangladesh. Therefore, the study was conducted in three districts of Bangladesh during 2014-2015 to find out the effect of mechanization on productivity and labour use in potato cultivation. A total of 130 samples taking 75 samples from conventional and 55 samples from mechanized potato farms were selected randomly for the study. The findings revealed that the yield of potato under mechanized farms (22.60 t/ha) was higher than that of conventional farms (20.53 t/ha). Total cost of production was significantly higher for conventional farms. Gross margin was found to be higher for mechanized farms (Tk.1,29,937) compared to conventional farms (Tk. 1,38,777). Cowdung, TSP and MoP had significant positive effect on the yield of potato production under mechanized farms. On the other hand, human labour and irrigation had significant positive effect on the yield of potato production for conventional farms. Mechanized farm used less number of labours compared to conventional farm. Family labour was mostly affected by the mechanization. Animal power and output have positive effect on labour requirement, while power tiller and input costs have adverse effect on labour requirement for potato cultivation. The probability of adopting farm mechanization was significantly influenced by experience, education, farm size, training on potato cultivation, organizational participation and extension contact. Lack of technical knowledge for all machines operation was mentioned as a major problem of mechanization in the study areas.

Keywords: Impact, Potato, Farm mechanization,

Location: Rajshahi, Dinajpur and Rangpur

Start Date: 00-00-2014

End Date: 00-00-2015

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Farm machineries

Objectives:

To find out the effect of mechanization on productivity and labour use in potato cultivation.

Methodology:

Three important potato growing districts namely Rajshahi, Dinajpur and Rangpur were purposively selected for this study. The data were classified into two groups such as mechanized and conventional farms to quantify the effect of farm mechanization. Mechanized farms are those where the farmers generally used agricultural machinery such as power tiller, potato planter, potato digger, and potato grader for farm operations. So, the farmers used any two farm machinery for farm mechanization is called mechanized farms. On the other hand, conventional farms are those who did not use farm machinery mentioned above. They generally carry out farm activities by using animal power and labour. A total of 130 samples taking 75 samples from conventional and 55 samples from mechanized potato farms were selected randomly for the study. Sample size was not equal in two groups because the mechanized farmers were not available in

Data collection

This study was mainly based on primary data collection through sample survey. Regarding information of mechanization, Rao (1974) used data on the input of tractor power/power tiller (tractor/PT-hours) per farm. Thus, information on the use of tractor was gathered in the form of tractor/PT-hour use per farm. Both animal power and labour were also measured in animal hour and labour hours (8 hours equivalent to 1 man-days) used per farm. The costs incurred on inputs are measured in terms of the prices paid by respondents for each input.The primary data was collected through the pre-tested interview schedule by face to face interview method. Principal Investigator, Co-principal Investigators and Scientific Assistant (SA) were personally involved in this survey. Secondary data was collected from the official records of the public offices of BBS and earlier research reports.

2.3 Analytical techniques

Tabular method of analysis was used to present the results. Independent sample t-test was used to test the differences between the means of two groups. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to estimate the contribution of factors between mechanized and conventional farms. As labour requirement was related to the amount of time allocated to agricultural machinery and animal power as well as inputs and output. The Probit Model was used to estimate the determinants of probability of mechanization at farm level.

Basic test: As said earlier, we collected data from mechanized and traditional farms. However, before going to analysis it is necessary to test whether there is any difference between the mentioned groups or not. For this purpose our hypothesis that there was no difference between the two groups i.e. mechanized and traditional farms, was tested for its validity on the assumption of normal population Rangpur and Dinajpur districts

Source of Information: Annual research repotr, AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS DIVISION, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Joydebpur, Gazipur-1701, August, 2015

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. CGIAR

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The findings revealed that potato was grown in the study areas by using different machineries. It was concluded that mechanized farms received higher yield and return compare to conventional farms which might be due to fine tilth. Cowdung, TSP and MoP had significantly positive effect on the yield of potato production for farm mechanization. On the other hand, human labour and irrigation had significantly positive effect on the yield of potato production for conventional farm. The major effect of adoption of mechanical power was the significant reduction of the labour input requirements for ploughing, sowing, harvesting and grading. Family labour was mostly affected by the use of power tiller, potato planter, digger and grader as these operations requires skilled labour. Animal power use increases labour requirement whereas use of power tiller reduces the labour requirement by 3 times. Input price and power tiller have inverse relation with labour requirement. The probability of adopting for farm mechanization had significantly influenced by experience, education, farm size, training on potato cultivation, organizational participation and extension contact.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings