Assessing Impact of BRRI Released Modern Rice Varieties Adoption on Farmers’ Welfare in Bangladesh: Application of Panel Treatment Effect Model

Abstract

This study assesses the impact of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) released modern wet (Aman) season rice variety adoption on farmers‟ well-being in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS) data collected by IFPRI were used for this study. The study applied difference-in-difference treatment effect and difference-in-difference quantile treatment effect models using unbalanced panel data to achieve the set objectives. Analysis revealed that BRRI released wet (Aman) season rice technology has a robust and positive effect on small farmers‟ welfare in Bangladesh as indicated by the level of increases in per capita household real income, increases in real aman rice income, and also increases in yield and decreases both in poverty gap and squared poverty gap over time. The marginal and near landless farmers have not gained significantly through adopting BRRI released modern variety over non-adopters in terms of all the indicators except aman rice yield. However, only yield of BRRI released modern wet (Aman) season rice technology has positive and significant impact on the marginal and near landless farmers. As such, BRRI variety adoption seemed to be conducive in increasing the level of yield of marginal and near-landless farms but it hardly helps them to overcome the poverty level, unless other equity-enhancing policy measures are undertaken. Overall, there was large scope for enhancing adoption of BRRI released rice variety in order to reduce the poverty level in rural areas. The current rice policy (rice self-sufficiency) appears to be supportive to help Bangladesh rice sector for achieving food security in the country.
 Bangladesh Rice j. 2019, 23(1): 1-11

Adoption Determinants of Exotic Rice Cultivars in Bangladesh

“…According to a study of Malawian farmers, yield stability enables households to either escape or endure stress conditions such as drought (Kassie et al, 2011). Additionally, increased production rises farmers' incomes from surplus rice sales (Arouna et al, 2017;Islam et al, 2019) which may enable farmers to provide adequate, safe, and nutritious food to their families.…”

“…Drawing from literature, improved rice varieties have a positive effect on farmers' welfare (Nguezet et al, 2011;Awotide et al, 2012;Islam et al, 2019;Mainuddin et al, 2021) that also goes for the exotic variety. Income increases could be used to lift households above the poverty line.…”

Farmers' Response on Field Performance of BSMRAU Developed IPSA Seem and BU Pepe1 Crop Variety

“…Generally, the drivers intensely influenced farmers' adoption decisions about any technology were yield performance and profitability, biotic and abiotic stress tolerant capability, availability of good quality seeds, quality of crop product, and market demand [36], [38]. In most cases, better yield acts as a chief driving force behind adopting any technology because high yield ensures high returns and ultimately reduces poverty among farmers [39].…”

BRRI Dhan100: A Zinc Enriched Rice Variety Suitable for Irrigated Ecosystem in Bangladesh

“…Modern varieties of rice were introduced to Bangladesh in the mid-sixties and now rice is grown throughout the year on high land to low land in three rice growing seasons. In Bangladesh, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) was set up in 1970 to develop modern rice varieties better suited to local growing condition [2].…”