Impact of Adopting Agricultural Technologies on Profitability and Production Practices of Tribal Farmers in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study identified the factors affecting tribal farmers' decision adopting agricultural technologies in Bangladesh. A total of 600 respondents were surveyed using multi-stage sampling technique from Sylhet (Garo, Khasia and Manipuri gropus) and Chittagong (Chakma, Marma and Tanchang groups) divisions. The study revealed that the mostly practiced farming systems were C-L-P, C-P-H and C-L-H. In the study areas, over 80 percent of total cropped area were under crop production. On an average, poultry rearing was the highest profitable business in Sylhet division (with BCR 2.08) and livestock rearing was the highest profitable business in Chittagong division (with BCR 2.06). Overall, 39.2, 26.6 and 34.2 and 38.8, 26.5 and 34.7% farmers in Sylhet and Chittagong divisions assured about increased, decreased and constant state of production practices using agricultural technologies, respectively like betel leaf and betel nut production, Cuchia production, Jhum cultivation, medicinal plants cultivation, etc. Educational level of household head, farm size, farm income, extension contact and farming experience had significant influence on farmers' adoption of agricultural technologies. Government and non-government organizations should arrange and implement training and motivational programs and properly provide extension services for raising the awareness about modern agricultural technologies among the tribal groups.