Farmers’ adoption on potato zero-tillage and straw mulching in the Ganges Delta of Bangladesh
Key messages
• Potato zero-tillage and rice straw mulching (PZTM) was introduced in the fallow season as a strategy for climate adaptation in Khulna where potato is a new crop to grow.
• 56% (239 HHs) of the intervention households adopted PZTM in the following cropping season without any subsidies or funding support.
• A major reason for not adopting was unavailability of seed (52%, 118 HHs) followed by lack of capital to purchase seed (28%, 64 HHs).
• PZTM requires less labor and women participated in all activities.
• Additional 1295 HHs newly adopted PZTM through learning from neighbors and/or relatives.
• Ensuring access to seed is a key factor for increasing adoption of potato production in the Deltas where there is a long distance from major seed production regions