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Is There a 'Draught Power Constraint' on Bangladesh Agriculture

Gerard J. Gill

 

Abstract

The present paper attempts to find out whether draught power is in fact a binding constraint on raising farm output to levels indicated in the Second Five Year Plan of Bangladesh. It also addresses itself to the question of the most appropriate way of relieving such a constraint if it exists. Information was collected from 360 farmers from five agro-ecologically distinct Zones of Bangladesh, who were interviewed weekly over a period of 17 months. The study demonstrates that the supply of draught power is indeed inadequate, in quality rather than quantity, and that it is distributed unevenly, so that the constraint is severe for poorer farmers, Tractorization is not found to be an appropriate solution. Rather, better feeding of the cattle, more efficient use of existing supply by improving implements and yoking systems, and minimum tillage techniques should be encouraged.

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