Benefits and challenges of using modern agricultural machinery in Bangladesh
Though modern agricultural machinery has significantly contributed to the agricultural sector, what are the challenges its adoption and use pose for the farmers in Bangladesh?
Modern agricultural machinery started to be used in Bangladesh in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This coincided with the Green Revolution, a period of agricultural transformation that aimed to increase food production and reduce poverty by adopting high-yielding crop varieties, improved irrigation systems, and mechanisation.
During this time, the government of Bangladesh, with support from international organisations and donors, initiated programs to introduce modern agricultural machinery to the country. This included importing and distributing tractors, power tillers, combine harvesters and other farm equipment.
One notable milestone in adopting modern agricultural machinery was the establishment of the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) in 1973. The BADC played a crucial role in promoting mechanisation by importing machinery, providing subsidies and offering credit facilities to farmers to facilitate their purchase of agricultural equipment.
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Over the years, the use of modern agricultural machinery has gradually increased in Bangladesh, particularly in the major agricultural regions. The government, agricultural institutions, and the private sector have played critical roles in promoting and facilitating the adoption of machinery through various programs, training initiatives and technological advancements.
While modern agricultural machinery has significantly contributed to the agricultural sector, its adoption and use also pose challenges for the farmers in Bangladesh.
Small-scale farmers, who constitute a substantial portion of the agricultural workforce, often face challenges accessing and affording modern machinery, leading to disparities in mechanisation levels.
In Bangladesh, modern agricultural machinery includes various equipment and tools that aid farming activities. Some of the common types of modern agricultural machinery used in the country include tractors, power tillers, combine harvesters, rice transplanters, seeders and planters, sprayers, modern irrigation systems, threshers, chaff cutters, grain dryers, storage facilities, etc.
The availability and adoption of specific types of machinery may vary depending on factors such as farm size, crops grown, and regional agricultural practices.
The use of modern agricultural machinery in Bangladesh has significantly impacted the country's agricultural sector. Modern agricultural machinery, such as tractors, combine harvesters and irrigation systems, have improved the efficiency and productivity of farming operations.
These machines enable farmers to complete tasks more quickly and effectively, increasing yields and reducing labour requirements. This, in turn, contributes to food security and economic growth of the country.
With machinery, tasks such as ploughing, seeding, harvesting and irrigation can be completed quickly and with fewer workers. This allows farmers to allocate their time and labour resources to other agricultural or non-agricultural activities, potentially increasing their income and overall livelihoods.
Modern agricultural machinery often incorporates advanced technologies that promote precision and accuracy in farming practices. For example, GPS-based guidance systems on tractors enable precise planting and fertilisation, reducing input wastage and improving crop quality.
Additionally, machinery can help apply pesticides and herbicides, ensuring more targeted and effective pest control while minimising environmental impacts.
Proper post-harvest management is crucial to minimise losses and preserve the quality of agricultural produce. Modern machinery, such as grain dryers and storage facilities, helps reduce post-harvest losses caused by spoilage, pests and inadequate storage conditions. This allows farmers to store and sell their produce at optimal times, resulting in higher profits and reduced food waste.
The improved efficiency, higher productivity and cost savings associated with modern agricultural machinery can contribute to increased farmer income. By reducing labour requirements and optimising resource use, farmers can generate higher yields and lower production costs, leading to improved profitability and financial stability.
Adopting modern agricultural machinery requires farmers to acquire new skills and knowledge. Training programs and initiatives accompanying the introduction of machinery provide opportunities for skill development and knowledge transfer.
Farmers gain expertise in operating, maintaining and repairing machinery, empowering them with valuable technical skills and enhancing their employment prospects.
Modern agricultural machinery encourages technological advancements and innovations in the farming sector. It stimulates research and development efforts to improve existing machinery, develop new equipment tailored to local needs and explore sustainable farming practices.
While modern agricultural machinery has brought numerous benefits to the agricultural sector in Bangladesh, some negative impacts can also be associated with their use.
Modern agricultural machinery's purchase and maintenance costs can be expensive for small-scale farmers in Bangladesh. This, in turn, can create a barrier to accessing and adopting these technologies, leading to disparities in agricultural practices and productivity between large and small farmers. The high initial investment costs can contribute to income inequalities and hinder the overall development of smallholders.
Modern agricultural machinery often requires inputs such as fuel, spare parts and technical expertise for operation and maintenance. Farmers may face challenges in resource-constrained areas in consistently accessing these inputs, leading to disruptions in machinery use and reduced productivity. Dependence on external inputs also makes farmers vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions, affecting their profitability.
The use of modern agricultural machinery can have adverse environmental consequences as well. Heavy machinery, such as tractors, can cause soil compaction, reducing soil fertility and increasing erosion risks.
Using chemical inputs, such as pesticides and fertilisers, can also intensify environmental pollution if not managed properly. Additionally, the emission of greenhouse gases from machinery contributes to climate change.
Adopting modern agricultural machinery can result in the displacement of manual labour in agricultural activities. While this can increase efficiency and productivity, it may also result in job losses and rural unemployment, particularly among farm labourers who rely on manual work for their livelihoods. This can have socio-economic implications, including migration to urban areas for alternative employment.
As the use of modern agricultural machinery becomes prevalent, there is a risk of creating a technological dependency among farmers. If farmers lack the necessary skills to operate and maintain the machinery, they may become reliant on external service providers, increasing their production costs and reducing self-sufficiency.
Additionally, a skills gap can emerge between generations, as younger farmers may be more adept at using and repairing modern machinery than older farmers.
Addressing these negative impacts and mitigating them through appropriate policies and support mechanisms is crucial. This may include providing financial incentives, training programs, and infrastructure development to improve access to modern agricultural machinery for small-scale farmers.
Additionally, promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices and raising awareness about proper machinery use and maintenance can help minimise the negative impacts and ensure a balanced approach to agricultural mechanisation in Bangladesh.
Dr Matiur Rahman is a researcher and development worker.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
