Impact of Mechanized Harvesting on the Cultivated and Total Operational Land Area of Rice Farmers in Bangladesh

Abstract

In Bangladesh, crop harvesting is considered the most labor-intensive and costly phase of farming. The adoption of mechanized harvesting techniques can significantly improve efficiency and minimize losses resulting from shattering, lodging or adverse weather conditions, especially for rice farmers. However, the impact of mechanized harvesting on rice farmers in Bangladesh has not been evaluated. We aimed to examine the impact of mechanized harvesting on rice farmers in Bangladesh on cultivated land, temporary cropped land and the total operated area. This study considered which rice farmers have crop reaping machines, rice threshers or both in the treatment group. To assess the influence of mechanized harvesting on rice farming, we employed propensity score matching and inverse probability weighted regression adjustment, complemented by Rosenbaum sensitivity analysis for robustness. Our findings revealed that harvesting mechanization increased cultivated land by 0.48 acres and expanded temporary cropped land by 0.55 acres, resulting in a total operated area increased by 0.49 acres among rice farmers. This highlights the significant potential for mechanization to improve efficiency across the sector. Additionally, only 22.96% of rice farmers own crop reaping machines or rice threshers, which indicates that the adoption rate is also low. Despite these benefits, widespread adoption of mechanical harvesting faces obstacles such as high startup costs, limited access to financing and a shortage of skilled operators. Addressing these challenges through subsidies, training programs and improved access to funding is essential for advancing mechanized harvesting and promoting sustainable rice production in Bangladesh.

SAARC J. Agric., 24(1): 19-30 (2026)