The influence of rural transportation systems on regional economic development and commercialization of agriculture in some selected areas of Comilla District, Bangladesh

Abstract

The economic progress of a country like Bangladesh cannot be considered without giving top priority to the improvement of rural life. Among the economic and social factors contributing towards development, the role of rural transportation systems is a significant one. This

study investigates the contributions that appropriate rural transportation systems have on the developmental process in the Comilla district. A case study of two selected regions was undertaken. These are the regions of Kotwali with a relatively better transport system and the Burichong region regarded as control. A contrasting picture of the two regions' agricultural development was revealed by the analysis. To investigate the possible causes of such a picture, the efficiency and cost structure of the different modern and traditional modes of transport such as truck, tractor, cycle rickshaw, bullock cart, country boat and human modes (shoulder or head 1oad) were discussed using statistical and econometric techniques. utilizing the available information on the rice trade of transportation pattern, cost of production and prices in the two regions, the economic benefits of rural roads were assessed by estimating the producer surplus. Examples of social benefits were enumerated. The effects of distance covered and volume hauled on transport cost for the different modes was examined using a quadratic transport cost function. Finally, the most economic rice transport task, i.e., the least-cost combination of modes and routes subject to given assumptions relati.ng to production and consumption centres was attempted. This was based on the results arrived at using a network analysis approach. Show more