The cultivation of improved chickpea varieties has been increasing over time that kicks off the local varieties from the farmer’s field. Up-to-date socio-economic information regarding this issue is scanty in Bangladesh. That is why we analyze the profitability of improved chickpea variety and assess the impact of its cultivation on the livelihood of chickpea farmers in the high Barind region of Bangladesh. The values of benefit-cost ratio depict that the improved variety is more profitable in comparison to local chickpea variety; specifically, the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of improved chickpea production is 1.87, while it is only 1.66 for local chickpea. To understand the wellbeing of chickpea farmers, the multidimensional livelihood index (MLI) following sustainable livelihood framework of the Department for International Development (DFID) is used, which constitutes the asset pentagon of five capitals namely human, physical, natural, financial and social capital. The MLI of improved and local chickpea growers are 0.51 and 0.39 respectively which belong in the middle livelihood category. Meanwhile, the MLI reflects that the improved variety cultivars are in a better livelihood condition than the local variety growers. Among all the five capitals of the MLI, the difference between these two groups is the largest in the case of social capital followed by financial capital. Since both groups have achieved far less MLI values than 1, the recommendation is therefore to ensure different types of facilities for the development of people of high Barind tract as well as increasing the production of improved chickpea. SAARC J. Agri., 18(1): 129-142 (2020)

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The study is conveyed to compare the profitability of chickpea and boro rice in Rajshahi district, which is one of the most drought-prone areas of Bangladesh. In this study, a total of 180 farmers (90 chickpea growers and 90 boro rice growers) are used as sample respondents, and data were collected by using a structured questionnaire in 2019. A probit regression model is used to find out the determinants that affect the cultivation of chickpea and boro rice. The important finding of this study is that the Benefit-Cost Ratio for chickpea and boro rice production is 1.88 and 1.05, respectively. The results indicate that chickpea cultivation is more profitable than boro rice cultivation. Besides, the study reveals that occupation, farm size, and seed have a positive impact while family size, human labor, and irrigation have negative effects on farmer’s decision to cultivate chickpea cultivation rather than boro rice. It is, therefore, concluded that the farmers should be encouraged to grow more chickpea rather than boro rice as a means of increasing farm income through crop diversification program. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 10(2): 21-28, December 2020