The study conducted an information-sharing workshop to explore the perceived prospects and technical aspects of 2 hp STW technology among the farmers, dealers, producers and NGOs in Dinajpur district. A special training programme was organized for installers and mechanics to increase technical skill. To assess the farmer's need for irrigation a baseline survey was conducted to select suitable farmers for field-testing and demonstration. In addition to that extension materials e.g. leaflet, folder, signboard and operation manual were prepared and distributed among the farmers, dealers, producers, installers, mechanics and NG0s. To provide innovation exposure to the users, an orientation on 2 hp STW operation and maintenance was arranged in Dinajpur district. Later in boro season the field performance of 2 hp STW with economic profitability were monitored through questionnaire and interview schedule to evaluate economic benefit.
To get considerable analytical data, 6 diesel pump-sets for each of the following mentioned types were tested during the field-testing period. A total of 24 engine operated pumps were tested with the following 4 different types and sizes of centrifugal pumps and 2 different sizes of well. For the farm owner, the selection of agricultural machinery is furnished after the cost calculations for the alternatives, which were checked earlier for the technical sustainability and viability. Determination of financial benefit, i.e. Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) is the most important factor for considering viability of ownership.
Two sets of questionnaire were used in this piece of research for data collection. The questionnaire was prepared to collect relevant data relating to cost of different items related to agricultural production system and questionnaire was used to collect production input cost and production output. The information was collected initially in local units and after checking, it was converted into standard unit.
The following calculation procedures were followed in determining BCR.
a) Fixed costs Depreciation, D= (P-S)/L Where, P= purchase price of the pump set (including boring cost) in taka S= salvage value in taka = 10% of P (considering average life and cost) L= machine life in year Interest on investment, I = ((P+S)xi))/2 (James and Lee, 1971) Where, i = interest rate in % Total fixed cost = (D+I) in taka
b) Variable costs: Cost for tillage, fertilizer, seed/seedling, diseases and insect control = X in taka Cost for repair & maintenance = R in taka Fuel & oil cost = F in taka Labour cost = 0 in taka Transportation cost = T in taka Total variable cost = (X+R+F+0+T) in taka Gross cost = Total fixed cost + Total variable cost
c) Gross return: [Sub- total of all output/income items] Benefit-Cost Ratio = Gross return/ Gross cost Benefit-Cost Ratio = Pwb/Pwc Where Pwb is the present worth of benefit (Gross return) and Pwc is the present worth of cost (Gross cost).