Information technology in agriculture of Bangladesh Technology Adoption and Agricultural extension The potential role of agriculture as an engine for

economic development has long been recognized . Since these minor contributions of Schultz (1964), Hemi and Rattan (1971), and Mellor (1998), there has been a large body or theoretical and empirical literature on the potential multiplier effects of agricultural growth on non-agricultural sectors(Berlet, de Jeanery and Sedulity 2009). Cross-country and country-specific econometric evidence has indicated that GDP growth generated in Agriculture can be particularly effective in increasing expenditures and incomes of the poor (Legion and Sedulity 2007, Bravo-Ortega and Alderman 2005, Ravalli onand Chen 2007). Despite the development of important agricultural innovations during that time .Yet data on adoption of improved agricultural technologies paint a picture of low levels of adoption in developing countries, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Broadly speaking, technology is the relationship between inputs and outputs(Foster And Rosinweed 2010), or the set of hardware (physical) and software(techniques) tools That allow for a different mapping of inputs to outputs. In the context of agriculture, Hardware refers to improved cultivars (seeds),fertilizers and pesticides, whereas software Refers to practices such as inter-cropping, mulching, and integrated pest management. This context, technology adoption is therefore defined as the use of new tools or techniques That relates inputs to outputs and the allocation of inputs (Foster and Rosinweed 2010). Ligon and Sedulity (2007) find that 1% GDP growth originating in agriculture increased the expenditures of the five poorest deciles on average by 3.7% in 42 developing countries. Bravo- Ortega and Alderman(2005) find That an increase in GDP originating from agricultural labor productivity is more effective in raising the incomes Of the poorest quintile in developing countries than an equivalent increase in GDP coming from non-agricultural labor productivity. Anderson and Feeder (2007) refer to hardware as the technology gap and software as the management gap. High Yielding Varieties Technology spurs agricultural productivity; this is evidenced by the success of the Green Revolution which advanced agricultural development. The support for agricultural innovation is grounded in the following reasons: first, there is a need to cater to the needs of a growing market for agricultural products as should keep abreast of continuously evolving agricultural technologies. Hence the benefits of agricultural innovations are twofold: increase in yield and reduction in costs. In many cases, improved agricultural technologies can also contribute to environmental improvement. They also may provide income and consumption of agricultural products is increasing and changing in different ways. Second, economies worldwide need to maintain a level of competitiveness and free up labor that is employed off the farm. The use of high yielding varieties (HYVs) has resulted in many of these economic benefits for the countries involved. HYVs pertain to a group of genetically

enhanced cultivars of crops (i.e. rice, maize, wheat) possessing characteristics of increased growth rate, increased percentage of usable plant parts or an increased resistance to crop insects and diseases as compared to traditional cultivars. For example, in some cases, high yielding varieties possess a disease resistance built in that helps the crops resist rust, blight or other fungus diseases. Such resistance can be a key component of an integrated pest management program. HYVs of wheat and rice have spread more widely and quickly than any other Technological innovation in the history of agriculture in the developing countries. First introduced in the mid-1960s, they occupied about half of the total wheat and rice area in the developing countries by 1982-83. Their area has increased since that time and will undoubtedly continue to grow in the future. It was during the mid to late seventies when HYV became a pervasive technological occurrence in Asia. Consequently, they have had a huge effect on improving the levels of rice production in Asia, resulting in as dependency on food grain imports for some countries. The widespread use of modern or high yielding varieties has helped Bangladesh to move away from serious import dependence on rice, despite a severe increase in population and a decrease in arable land since its independence in 1971. The cultivation of modern varieties reached 65% of the rice area in 2001- 2002. One of the benefits of HYV adoption is that they may have a high degree of tolerance to pests, insects, and diseases which can have damaging effects and reduce yields. Increased crop yield and increased farm incomes are the results of their adoption. When included in an IPM program, they provide an environmentally friendly approach to managing crops, avoiding or reducing the use of toxic pesticides. Such an IPM strategy can lessen crop losses due to pests, thus promoting sustainable agriculture. IPM gives the opportunity to manage pests without causing danger to the environment and without causing health hazards to the users (UNESCAP2000). IPM strategies promote the prudent use of pesticides. Although it could lead to more labor hours, IPM practices produce increased yields and higher returns as compared to the methods they seek to replace.