COMPARATIVE PROFITABILITY OF SALT TOLERANT RICE VARIETY ADOPTERS AND NON-ADOPTERS IN THE COASTAL AREAS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and to determine the comparative profitability between adopters and nonadopters.

Data were collected from randomly selected 150 farmers who were adopted salt tolerant rice variety and those who did not adopt via pre-tested interview schedule during August 26 to September 20, 2021. In this study, profitability analysis was done to achieve the objectives of the study. From this study, it was estimated that the average per hectare cost for salt tolerant rice variety and other local rice variety production was Tk. 125368 and Tk. 104585 respectively. Per hectare gross return of adopter of salt tolerant rice varieties and nonadopter of other local varieties were Tk. 137380 and Tk. 121478, respectively. Therefore, per

hectare

average cost as well as gross return of adopter was higher than that of non-adopter. Average per hectare net return received by non-adopting farmers was Tk. 16893 and it was higher in case of adopter (Tk. 12012). In the study area, the average yield of local rice varieties (5.45 ton / hectare) was higher than salt tolerant rice varieties (4.92 ton / hectare). The undiscounted benefit cost ratio (BCR) was higher for local variety growers compare to salt tolerant variety growers. Results also revealed that most of the farmers are not using the recommended technologies regarding input usage and agronomic practices. Shattering problem, low rainfall, irrigation facility, cost on irrigation, natural calamities were the major problems faced by the farmers in cultivating salt tolerant rice variety. Proper extensions activities are needed to disseminate salt tolerant rice variety to bring the uncultivated areas under rigorous cultivation for ensure a better livelihood on the coastal farmers.