Impact of agricultural extension services on rice productivity and profitability in Bangladesh.

This article examines the impact of agricultural extension services (AES) on the productivity and profitability of rice farmers in Bangladesh, using panel data from the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (2015 and 2018). Employing econometric methods including probit regression, difference-in-difference (DiD), and random effects generalized least squares (GLS) models, the study finds that participation in AES significantly increases rice farm productivity by 18.3% and profitability by 23.2%. Key determinants of AES participation include access to subsidies, distance to market, livelihood vulnerability, household wealth, and main occupation in agriculture. The findings suggest that AES plays a crucial role in disseminating technology and knowledge, thereby enhancing farm outcomes, and recommend that government policies expand and intensify AES coverage, particularly for resource-poor farmers, to support sustainable agricultural development and food security in Bangladesh.