Resource Use Efficiency and Factors Affecting Land Allocation for Wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) Production in Bangladesh

Abstract

The present study aimed to estimate the resource use efficiency and identify the factors affecting land allocation for wheat production in Bangladesh. Primary data were randomly collected from 183 wheat producers from three Upzillas of Natore district. The results revealed that farmers had experienced decreasing return to scale in wheat production. Farm area, seed cost and labor cost were the main factors that positively, and irrigation negatively affected wheat production. The sampled farmers failed to show their efficiency in using the resources in wheat cultivation. There was further opportunity to increase wheat production using more seed, chemical fertilizers, manure and pesticides. However, there was no further scope to increase wheat production by using irrigation, land preparation and labor inputs. The study also revealed that farmers age, education, wheat farming experience, location and family size significantly affected the probability of land allocation in wheat production. Soil type in the study areas played a vital role in the decision process of wheat cultivation. It could be concluded that proper utilization of inputs can increase wheat in Bangladesh.

The Agriculturists 2017; 15(1) 28-39