Factors Influencing Agricultural Mechanization in Southwestern Region of Bangladesh

Abstract

Mechanization, a multi-faceted concept, has made significant strides: in the sector of agriculture in Bangladesh. It performs admirably in increasing crop productivity, income, time savings, labor efficiency, and cost-cutting, establishing itself as a dependable partner in agriculture. Assessing the extent of use of agricultural machinery as well as identifying the factors influencing mechanization in the southwestern region of Bangladesh remains less explored territory, necessitating further investigation. This study was conducted in Dumuria Upazila, Khulna, aimed to find out the status of use of agricultural machinery and to explore the factors influencing agricultural mechanization in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. Data were collected during December 2022 from 80 farmers using accidental random sampling method who had been exposed to mechanized cultivation. Nearly three-fifths (59%) of respondents reported moderate machinery use, predominantly in tillage, followed by pesticide application and irrigation. Conversely, lower mechanization rates were noted in crop harvesting and seed sowing, aligning with the Machinery Use Index (MUI) results. The majority of respondents (77.5%) were moderately influenced, and addressed scarvity and high wages of labor as the foremost factors influenced agricultural mechanization. Access to farm power closely followed in Agricultural Machinery Influence Index (AMI), while cattle ownership, proximity of the farm location, and irrigation access held subsequent positions. Crop lodging and land topography were less influential. Education, engagement with extension media, and cosmopolitanism were correlated positively with the extent of agricultural machinery use. Conversely, experience in mechanized cultivation displayed a negative correlation. Besides, age, farming experience, and mechanization experience were negatively correlated to the perceived influence. Conversely, education, organizational involvement, and media contact showed positive associations. However, the use of agricultural machinery revealed a focus on tillage, pesticide application, and irrigation stages. Respondents unanimously considered scarcity and high wage of labor as well as access to farm power as their foremost concerns.