LIVELIHOOD AND ADOPTION DETERMINANTS OF DROUGHT TOLERANCE RICE VARIETIES IN NORTHWESTERN AREAS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Food insecurity in Bangladesh is exacerbated by the vulnerability of the country's rice industry to climate-related risks like drought. Adoption of rice types resistant to drought can significantly boost output, the availability of food grains, and income. The objective of this study was to identify the adoption determinants of drought tolerance rice variety and to compare the livelihood status between drought tolerance rice variety adopter and nonadopter. I received data from SAURES where 120 rice farmers from Rajshahi and Natore

district

were chosen randomly to achieve these goals were questioned. The total sample was separated into two groups: adopters, and non-adopters. Binary Logistic Regression Model identifies factors affecting the adoption of drought tolerance rice varieties, where experience, training on drought tolerance rice variety, extension contact, and knowledge of drought tolerance rice variety have a positive impact and significant at 1%, 5% and 10% level, while age has a negative impact on adoption. Finally, the study compares the livelihood components of adopter and non-adopter farmers and finds that natural, physical, and financial capital are higher for adopters, while human and social capital are higher for non-adopters. The overall livelihood index for drought tolerance rice varieties growers (0.62) was higher for non-adopter compared to adopter (0.61). The adoption of droughttolerant

rice varieties was impacted by four key variables had positive impact, while age had a negative impact. Adopters had higher natural, physical, and financial capital whereas non-adopters had higher human and social capital.