Mechanised land preparation, productivity and employment in Bangladesh
基于孟加拉国近期调查，发现机械化整地对土地生产率影响甚微，但显著替代劳动力，且外汇成本高昂，削弱了粮食进口能力。
Abstract This paper presents a synopsis of the findings of a recent intensive survey in Bangladesh which concluded that mechanisation of land preparation makes little or no difference to land productivity, but does cause substantial direct and indirect labour displacement. The foreign exchange costs of mechanisation were also found to be very substantial, representing a significant reduction in the country's capacity to import food and agricultural inputs. Ways are therefore suggested whereby the draught power constraint might be overcome without these opportunity costs. Notes Formerly Senior Research Fellow at the University of Reading, presently Associate of the Agricultural Development Council Inc., based at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council. The study was funded by the Overseas Development Administration/Ministry. The views expressed in this paper are entirely the author's responsibility and do not necessarily reflect those of any of the organisations named.