Green Global
Foundation   Journal
...an emerging window for scientific research and publication across the globe

EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF MAIZE CULTIVATION IN AN AREA OF BANGLADESH (Pages : 44 - 52)

The study was conducted at the sadar upazila of Kishoreganj district during the period of April to May 2003 to study a broad quantitative analysis of efficiency and sustainability of maize cultivation at farmers’ field. Field survey suggests that there are high potentials for adoption of maize in kishoreganj District from agro-climatic point of view. Considering the scope and potentials of maize this study was based on a sample survey of sixty maize growing farmers, of which 34 is small, 20 medium and 6 large categories of farmers from four villages. For the presentation of results, exponential growth rate model, (using semi log) ordinary least square (OLS) and frontier production function were used. The study revealed that all farmers used hybrid maize and the rate of changes the area, production and yield of maize increased dramatically after the release of hybrid varieties. On an average, per hectare yield of maize was 4.70 tons and the average gross margin was Tk. 18047/ha on TVC basis and on cash cost basis it was Tk. 26887/ha. Net return per hectare on the basis of full cost, cash cost and variable cost were estimated at Tk. 11739, Tk. 26887 and Tk. 18047, respectively. It was found that the average returns to labour were Tk. 109.52/man-day on full cost basis, Tk. 291.80/man-day on cash cost basis and Tk. 135.06/man-day on variable cost basis, respectively. On full cost basis, benefit cost ration (BCR) was 1.37. Study also found that on the basis of cash cost and variable cost, the BCR were 2.66 and 1.72 respectively for maize production. The findings also revealed that the farmers in the study area have failed to show their efficiency in using the resources but the farmers was obtained technical efficiency (98%). It was suggested that supply of credit at low interest, supply of inputs at fair prices, availability of post harvest technology and pesticide are important measures which can encourage farmers to increase maize production. Download