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

Impact of Versatile Multi-crop Planter on Service Providers’ Livelihood in Some Selected Areas of Bangladesh

M. A. Monayem Miah
Principal Scientific Officer
Planning & Evaluation Wing, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur.

M. A. Rashid
Principal Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Gazipur

M. Enamul Haque
Adjunct Associate Professor
Murdoch University, Australia

Richard W. Bell
Professor
Murdoch University, Australia

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The custom hiring of Versatile Multi-crop Planter (VMP) is profitable at farm level and service providers could improve their livelihood through this machine. Data and information on these aspects are scarce in Bangladesh. Therefore, an attempt was made to conduct this study to assess the seasonal use pattern and profitability of VMP operations, and its impacts on service providers’ livelihood. A total of 18 Local Service Providers (LSP) were purposively selected from Rajshahi, Thakurgaon, Mymensingh, and Rajbari districts for this study. The study revealed that LSPs effectively utilized VMP and PT for 4-6 months. They received Tk. 1,42,434 (with subsidy on VMP) and Tk. 1,36,134 (without subsidy) per year as net income. The average payback periods were 0.72 and 0.98 years with and without subsidy, respectively. The annual break-even use of VMP is 7.79 ha. The LSPs experienced a considerable increase in their land holdings (8.3%), value of livestock (11.2%), annual income (34.9%), dwelling houses (36.6%), household furniture (19%), and modern amenities (45.5%). The increased incomes were mostly spent on nutritious food, land mortgage, and dwelling house construction. LSPs faced some minor problems such as unable to use this machine in the wetland condition (61%), no seating arrangement on the machine during ploughing (56%), required higher time (50%), farmers’ ignorance (44%), and lack of skill driver (17%). Financial support and technical assistance should be made available by the government for LSPs and local manufacturers, redesign this machine with capable to run in wet condition will helps for its higher adoption.

Keywords: Livelihood; Multi-crop planter; Versatile;

Location: Rajshahi, Thakurgaon, Mymensingh and Rajbari districts

Start Date: 00-00-2016

End Date: 00-00-2016

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Livelihood

Objectives:

To assess the profitability of VMP seeding operations at farm level and the impacts of VMP on service providers’ livelihood.

Methodology:

The present study was conducted in Rajshahi, Thakurgaon, Mymensingh and Rajbari districts. A total of 18 local service providers (LSP) of VMP who provided at least 2-year tillage service to the farmers were purposefully selected and interviewed for this study. Data and information were gathered from selected service providers of VMP through conducting household survey using pre-tested interview schedules during December, 2016. In estimating the profitability of VMP operation at farm level, different cost items such as fuel and oil, wage for driver, repair and maintenance, spare parts, depreciation, and interest on investment were calculated based on field level data. The costs of depreciation for power tiller (PT), VMP and machinery shed were assumed to be linear over time. In the study area, PT was not used throughout the year with VMP. Hence, 4 months were considered in estimating the costs of depreciation and interest on investment for PT in this study. The profitability of VMP seeding operation at farm level was estimated both with and without subsidy conditions. An attempt was also made to calculate breakeven point of VMP operation for the service providers based on fixed cost, variable cost and gross income which were calculated from farm level data. At break-even point, the revenues of the business are equal its total costs and its contribution margin equals its total fixed costs.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report, 2017, Agricultural Economics Division, (BARI), Gazipur

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study assessed the uses pattern and profitability of VMP operations and its impacts on service providers’ livelihood. Although VMP can be used throughout the year, the highest use usually occurs in the Rabi season. The custom hiring of VMP services is opined to be a profitable business in the study areas. The payback period and annual break-even size of land are 0.72 year and 7.79 ha, respectively. This custom hiring business has made some improvements in the livelihoods of its service providers. The incomes from custom hiring business are mostly spent on land mortgage, livestock purchase, construction of houses, purchase of furniture & modern amenities, and purchase of dietary fish & meat that indicate higher standard of living of service providers. Besides, most LSPs get honour from farmers and popularity in the locality. Although renting out VMP service was profitable, it is constrained by some minor problems such as unable to use this machine in the wetland condition, no seating arrangement on the machine during ploughing, required higher time, heavy weight, and lack of trained driver.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings