ABSTRACT
This study investigates the economics of transplanted Aman rice seed production by comparing contract (30 farmers) and non-contract growers (30 farmers) in Madhupur upazila of Tangail district. The study reveals that contract growers incur higher total costs (BDT 143,687/ha) due to greater spending on labor (BDT 82,057/ha), fertilizer (BDT 10,648/ha), and irrigation (BDT 6,206/ha) than the non-contract growers (BDT 137,623). However, they benefit from higher yields (5,121 kg/ha), better market prices (207,408 Tk/ha for paddy), and greater profitability, achieving a higher Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 2.15 compared to 1.64 for non-contract growers. Rice seed producers face constraints, including labor shortages (cited by 48% of respondents), high wage rates (35%), pest infestations (41%), and post-harvest challenges (10%). The findings highlight the economic advantages of contract farming while emphasizing the need to address production challenges to improve profitability for all farmers.
Key words: Seed, profitability, contract grower, rice, Bangladesh
Recent Comments