Mechanized Cultivation and Its Backward and Forward Linkages

Economic growth depends on the combined effect of agriculture and non- agriculture sectors. The use of modern technology in agriculture has been triggering the linkages between agriculture and non-agriculture sectors. In recent years, the use of Power Tiller (PT) for land preparation has risen significantly to meet the drought power shortages at farm level in Bangladesh. In rural areas many farmers do not have the ability to buy PT but they buy and operate PT through mobilization of capital from bank and other sources. They generally operate and sell PT services for cropland preparation on commercial interests. The present study has, therefore, been designed to add new insights into using PT at the farm level and explore the backward and forward linkages of the technology. The study is expected to help planners and extension workers to understand the importance of PT to boost up the growth of agriculture and non-agriculture sectors and thus to create income and employment opportunities. It will also contribute to minimize the controversies regarding PT use at farm level.