Yield and Profitability of Paddy Farming in a Rice-deficit District of Bangladesh: Evidence from Brahmanbaria

Abstract

Background and Aim: Despite Bangladesh’s overall progress in rice production, limited empirical evidence exists on farm-level yield and profitability in rice-deficit, flood-prone districts. This study evaluates the yield and benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of paddy farming in Brahmanbaria, an eastern district characterized by seasonal flooding and production shortfalls. Study Design and Duration: A descriptive quantitative study was conducted in Brahmanbaria district during February–March 2022. Materials and Methods: Using a multistage sampling approach, 113 paddy farmers from two villages were selected through simple random sampling. Farm-level data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Yield, production costs, gross returns, net returns, and benefit–cost ratios were estimated using descriptive statistical and cost–return analysis methods. Results: The average paddy yield was 5.6 tons per hectare, slightly below the national average and lower than yields reported in several major rice-producing districts. The mean production cost was 58,452 BDT per hectare, while gross income averaged 70,855 BDT, resulting in a net return of 12,401 BDT per hectare. The calculated BCR of 1.21 indicates modest profitability compared to more productive regions of Bangladesh. Key constraints affecting productivity and profitability include high input costs, limited access to institutional credit, inadequate irrigation, weak infrastructure, and insufficient extension services. Conclusion: Paddy farming in this rice-deficit, flood-prone district generates positive but relatively low returns. To make farming more productive and profitable, it is important to deal with high input costs, make it easier for farmers to get credit, expand irrigation, and improve extension support. The findings provide region-specific evidence to inform targeted agricultural policy interventions in environmentally vulnerable areas.