Present Status of Appropriate Scale Mechanization in Selected Villages of Southern Delta of Bangladesh

The Southern Delta of Bangladesh is characterized by area of adverse climatic conditions like cyclone, salinity and water scares in dry season. USAID funded and ASMC supported project Appropriate Scale Mechanization Innovation Hub (ASMIH)-Bangladesh is adopting a system approach for developing appropriate scale mechanization to advance sustainable intensification for smallholder farming systems in Bangladesh since 2016. The intervention areas were Dumuria, Khulna; Wazirpur, Barishal; Kalapara, Putuakhali and Shubarnachar, Noakhali districts. The overall objective of this study was to assess the present status of mechanization of crop production activities. The methodology was included discussion with researchers, field visit, FGD and household survey. Mechanization, adoption of mechanized technology, participation of male and female farmers and service provisions were also evaluated. The study findings showed that alongside of male farmers of the households, female farmers are coming forward in field crop production activities especially in rice seedling raising, transplanting and harvesting. The male household members dominated in using agriculture machines in field crop production activities and the female farmers dominated in post-harvest activities of crops like drying and winnowing. About 26% respondent households' were found using owned mechanized equipment, 72% respondent households using farm machineries through hiring customized rental services, and only 2% using shared machines owned by farmers' group. Key issues to be addressed are changes in mindset among farmers for adopting appropriate machines and technologies, conduct adaptive research and demonstration efforts, institutional support, networks of local service providers, farmer groups and scientists, and ensuring availability and access to machinery.