MARKETING EFFICIENCY OF BORO RICE IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF DINAJPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

Rice is the staple food in Bangladesh which is synonymous with food security. Rice is vital for the nutrition of many of the people in Asia, as well as in Latin America, and the Caribbean and in Africa. Developing countries account for 95% of the total production, with China and India alone responsible for nearly half of the world production. (https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Rice). Total rice production in Bangladesh was about 10.59 million tons in 1971 when the country’s population was about 70.88 millions. However, the country is now producing about 33.2 million tons to feed about 160 million people of this country. This indicates that the growth of rice production was much faster than the population growth. This increased rice production was possible largely due to the adoption of modern Boro rice varieties. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has estimated that 19.69 million tons of Boro rice was produced in the country during 2013-2014, apparently crossing the official production target. According to BBS, 18.78 million tons of Boro rice was produced during 2012-2013. Meanwhile, the field level officials of DAE informed that the production of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) and hybrid rice was found better during this year. A super hybrid rice variety SL-8H, which was newly introduced in Bangladesh, grew the highest yield (10 t/ha) during the current Boro season. The DAE has also estimated the highest yields of SL-8H Boro rice at crop cutting program in Noakhali and Gopalgonj districts.

If the marketing system is not efficient, price signals arising at the consumer’s level are not adequately transmitted to the producers. As a result, farmers do not get sufficient price incentive to increase the production of the commodities. Thus, inefficient marketing systems adversely affect the living standard of both the producers and ultimate consumers. In Bangladesh, agricultural marketing plays a pivotal role in fostering and sustaining the tempo of rural and economic development as markets trigger the process of development. Marketing is not only an economic line between producers and consumers; it also maintains balance between demand and supply. The objectives of rapid economic growth and equitable distribution of goods and services could not be achieved without the support of an efficient marketing system.