A study on the impact of agricultural mechanization and practices of traditional knowledge in agriculture in jhenaidah district, Bangladesh

This study investigates the impact of agricultural mechanization and traditional agricultural knowledge on the agrarian community in a village situated in Jhenaidah District, utilizing Eric Wolf’s peasant ecotypes theory and the Cultural Lag Theory developed by William F. Ogburn. The research adopts a qualitative methodology, combining primary data from fieldwork and enthnographic interviews along with secondary data from literature reviews. The theoretical framework in shaped by paleotechnic ecotypes, characterized by traditional labor-intensive practices, and neotechnic ecotypes, marked by modern, technology-driven systems. The findings indicate that farmers are struggling to fully adopt and effectively utilize modern agricultural technologies, remaining partially tethered to traditional farming practices. This dichotomy has created a state of cultural conflict, hindering agricultural development. Moreover, findings reveal a significant shift from traditional to modern agricultural practices over the years, driven by governmental policies and market forces. While mechanization has increased productivity and efficiency, it has also escalated production costs and introduced market dependencies. Furthermore, mechanization has altered labor dynamics, reducing the reliance on human labor, particularly marginalizing women’s traditional roles. Despite these changes, farmers continue to integrate traditional knowledge into modern practices, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. This study investigates a subtle understanding of the cultural transformations in rural agriculture, providing insights for future rural development strategies.