Small farmers' perceptions of obstacles to improved rice cultivation in Bangladesh

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the character and relative importance of obstacles to the adoption of modern rice cultivation practices as perceived by small farmers in Bangladesh. Such farmers form the dominant class in the country's largely agricultural population. The data presented are based on information collected from 205 small farmers near Mymensingh during four months in 1983. The opinions of these farmers were also sought on measures which might be used to remove the obstacles.

Relatively few grew only high-yielding varieties of rice, although approximately a third grew HYVs to some extent. The findings show the prime importance they attach to obstacles to their adoption of plant protection practices as deterrents to their acceptance of a modern rice cultivation system. In particular, because of their poverty they are unable to obtain and service many of the necessary practices, while those which they can acquire are often not available to them at appropriate times. They blame the commercial channels which supply inputs for this to a large extent. The farmers consider that cheaper equipment, greater access to irrigated land, and the timely availability of inputs could overcome many of the obstacles. Extension workers need to appreciate farmers' own perceptions of their problems and means of overcoming them if they are to offer useful advice.