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Adoption of Hybrid Rice in Bangladesh: Farm Level Experience

M. M. I. Shah
Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Will J. Grant
Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Sue Stocklmayer
Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The purpose of the study was to understand the farmers’ response to hybrid rice over the last decade. To achieve this, here used the “diffusion of innovation” model as developed by Rogers. The specific objectives guiding the study were to: i) describe the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the farmers; ii) survey the varieties of hybrid rice cultivated over the last decade and identify the best performers; iii) assess the extent of adoption of hybrid rice in Bangladesh; iii) investigate the influence of selected characteristics in influencing farmers’ decisions on adopting hybrid rice. The study was conducted in five regions of Bangladesh. A concurrent embedded design using a cross sectional survey was employed. The population of this study consisted of rice growers of the boro season who were responsible for farming decisions. A multistage stratified random sampling design was employed in selecting the sample of 425 farmers. Data were collected through face–to–face interviews using a pre-tested and back translated questionnaire. Data confirmed that the overall extent of adoption of hybrid during the period of 2001-2011 boro seasons was relatively low in the sample areas. Logistic regression results after fitting the full model of eleven selected predictive variables on farmers’ decisions in adopting hybrid rice showed that education, annual family income, communication exposure, and attitude towards hybrid rice made significant contributions to farmers’ decisions in adopting hybrid rice. There is an enormous potential for improving the level of adoption of hybrid rice in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Non-adopter, De-adopter, Continuing adopter, Adoption, Hybrid rice, Bangladesh

Location: All over Bangladesh

Start Date: 02-03-2012

End Date: 30-06-2012

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Adoption of technology

Objectives:

The following specific objectives were set to guide the study:

to describe the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the farmers;
to survey the varieties of hybrid rice cultivated over the last decade and identify the best performers;
to assess the extent of adoption of hybrid rice in Bangladesh,
to investigate the influence of selected characteristics in influencing farmers’ decisions on adopting hybrid rice.

Methodology:

Research Site: The land use pattern of Bangladesh is influenced by agro ecology, soil physiographic and climatic factors (BBS, 2011). Considering the variations of all these factors the total land area of Bangladesh has been classified into nine regions of which at least five have been approved through the gazette notification of the Government of Bangladesh for evaluation and registration of every single variety of hybrid rice (GoB, 2003). Therefore five regions were taken into account for this study in order to select the sample. Sampling Design: A concurrent embedded design using a cross sectional survey was employed (Creswell, 2009). The population of this study consisted of rice growers of the boro season as hybrids in Bangladesh are primarily cultivated during the boro season; generally transplanted in December-January and harvested in May-June. A multistage stratified random sampling design as proposed by Babbie (1990) was employed in selecting the sample. In order to maintain the level of precision (sampling error) at (±5) percent, the level of confidence at 95% and the degree of variability at 50 percent, 425 farmers were selected following sample size recommendations as proposed by Israel (2009), Dillman (2007) and Corbetta (2003). Farmers in three categories were sampled: namely, non-adopters (79), de-adopters (122) and continuing adopters (224) of hybrid rice. Data were collected through face–to–face interviews with the sampled farmers using a pre-tested and back translated questionnaire. Through prior consultation, it designed an 8-page questionnaire comprising 183 items in a series of 21 questions sequencing from general to specific. The questionnaire was formatted with both open and closed question items to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data. For data collection the primary investigator spent 120 working days traveling to different places of the selected research sites between March 2 and June 30, 2012. Measuring Potential Area for Hybrid Rice Cultivation: The potential area for hybrid rice cultivation was computed in order to measure the extent of adoption, which is referred to the total land area suitable for cultivation of rice by a respondent to the interview irrespective of its nature of occupancy. This criterion set as the focus of research was on the area coverage of hybrid rice, ignoring the tenurial arrangement. Using these criteria, the total potential area for hybrid rice cultivation was calculated using the following formula: FS₁=A₁+A₂+A₃-A₄+A₅ Where, FS₁ = total land area suitable for hybrid rice cultivation irrespective of its sources of occupancy; A₁ = Land the respondent owned; A₂ = Land shared in; A₃ = Land shared out; A₄ = Land mortgaged out; A₅ = Land mortgaged in. Statistical Analysis: It reviewed each survey for missing information (name of block, upazila and district), ineligible writing, and incomplete sentences and responses. Based on the outputs of the survey, various statistical data analyses including analyses of frequencies, percentage, range of scores, means, and standard deviations of the variables were performed. In order to test the difference of mean score between de-adopters and continued adopters with regard to their extent of adoption, an unpaired t test was conducted. To compare the groups of non-adopters, de-adopters and continuing adopters, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the significant contribution of the independent variables on the adoption of hybrid rice. Five percent (005) level of probability with an accompanying 95 percent confidence level was used as a basis for rejecting the null hypotheses.

Source of Information: Journal of Agricultural Science; Vol. 6, No. 7; 2014 ISSN 1916-9752 E-ISSN 1916-9760

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In the light of the foregoing discussion about the adoption status of hybrid rice in Bangladesh, the following conclusions are drawn: a) No significant difference was found between non-adopters, de-adopters and continuing adopters as to age, educational qualification, training experience and membership in social organizations. A significant difference, however, was found between de-adopters and continuing adopters in terms of family size, farm size, annual family income, communication exposure, assessment of promotional activities, perception of risk, and attitude towards hybrid rice. b) Out of 99 recommended varieties only 40 varieties have been cultivated at the field level to a varying extent. The highest proportion of the farmers rated Heera-2 as the best performing variety. Two unapproved varieties were also found to be cultivated. c) Data also confirmed that the overall extent of adoption of hybrid rice during the period of 2001-2011 boro seasons was relatively low in the sample areas. The highest proportion of the de-adopters (55%) and continuing adopters (46.4%) were found to have a lower level adoption (≤33.32% of potential area) of hybrid rice. Out of five districts, a higher level of adoption was found in Laksmipur (43.48%) and Nilphamari (41.07%). The mean adoption was 17.63 percent in the 2001 boro season, and then it increases in a tortuous fashion and culminates in 40.93% in 2010 boro season. d) The computed t value indicates that de-adopters and continuing adopters are not significantly different in term of the extent of adoption of hybrid rice. Logistic regression results, after fitting the full model of 11 selected predictive variables on farmers’ decisions in adopting hybrid rice, showed that education, annual family income, communication exposure, and attitude towards hybrid rice made significant contributions to farmers’ decisions in adopting hybrid rice. There is an enormous potential for improving the level of adoption of hybrid rice. Once informed about the current status of hybrid rice, the Government of Bangladesh has the opportunity to refine policy guidelines addressing the following areas: first, to establish or strengthen the key linkages and/or interrelationships among the stakeholders such as the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), seed companies, dealers, and farmers in the diffusion of hybrid rice. Second, after assessing the status of varietal information, the concerned authorities might research the impediments farmers face in cultivating their varieties. Finally, the authority can make a significant impact on hybrid rice cultivation by recommending the right variety. In doing so, the field level extension workers, in particular, Sub Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAO) might guide farmers to select the right variety and go through the recommended procedure.

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