Determinants and Impact of the Adoption of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Developed Maize Sheller in Mymensingh District of Bangladesh

Abstract

Adoption of new agricultural technologies is always at the center of policy interest in Bangladesh as it generates higher farm productivity and income for the farmers. Despite the visible benefits of many of the new agricultural technologies, including farm machinery and management practices, farmers either do not adopt them or it takes a long time to begin the adoption process and scaling up. The study was carried out to determine the impacts of adoption of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) maize sheller on productivity and farm income in Mymensigh district. Primary data were collected from 41 adopters and 79 non-adopters of BARI maize sheller. Propensity score matching method was used to assess the impacts of BARI maize sheller adoption. It was found that the rate of adoption of BARI maize sheller was 26.73% at farm level. Probit model showed that experience in maize cultivation of the farmer and training enhanced the adoption of BARI maize sheller and family size had negative effect on adoption of BARI maize sheller. BARI maize sheller adoption on average increased maize productivity and farm income by 327.08 kg/ha and 34 to 65% respectively for adopters compared to non-adopters. Policy implications included more investment in training facilities from public agencies to sustain and increase the productivity and income of maize farmers. Modifying the training approach could provide opportunity to young maize farmers to increase their know-how. Various government and non-government organizations working in Bangladesh including Mymensingh district need to promote a rapid uptake and scaling up of BARI maize sheller.