Yield Gap of Aman Rice at Farmers’ Field: Determining Factors

The purpose of this research was to ascertain the factors responsible for yield gaps of aman rice (BINA dhan 7, BR-11, BRRI dhan 40, BRRI dhan 41) at farmers’ field in two selected districts of Bangladesh. The empirical data for the study were collected from two consecutive years 2011 and 2012; data were also collected through FGDs (Focus Group Discussions) and KIIs (Key Informant Interviews). The findings reveal that in case of aman rice the overall yield gap of BR 11 was the highest (20.89 percent) followed by BRRI dhan 40 (17.89 percent), BRRI dhan 41 (16.76 percent) and BINA dhan 7 (10.92 percent). The farmers’ practice gap in aman rice was the highest in case of gypsum (68 per cent) followed by TSP (59 per cent) and MoP (55 percent). Six practice gaps, such as seed quality, seedling age, application of urea, TSP, MoP, and gypsum contributed about 62 percent variation in yield gaps of aman rice cultivation. The most important constraints in aman rice cultivation for the farmers were: lack of high yield potential varieties, rainfed aman rice cultivation, and severe attack of rats.