American
International
University-
Bangladesh

Students & Supervisors

Abstract

Rice has been a fundamental aspect of Bangladesh’s food security for decades. Despite that, smallholder farmers often struggle to access proper capital for crop investment. This study researches how digital finance is transforming agricultural outcomes, exclusively focusing on rice production. Secondary data from the World Bank Global Findex and POV CAL (2010–2024) were analyzed. Three indicators were tracked: the use of mobile money in farming, agricultural input loans, and rice yields. Dual-axis and time series charts in Excel and a correlation heatmap in Python were used to capture trends and relationships. Results show rice yields rising from 3.67 tonnes per hectare in 2010 to 4.92 tonnes in 2024, with small dips in 2013–2014 before climbing after 2017. Agricultural input loans nearly doubled, from just over one million in 2010 to almost two million in 2024, although a decline in 2019 was observed. Mobile money use was uneven, falling in 2011–2012 and 2019–2021, but overall grew from 15.6% to 28.9%, an 85% increase. Correlation analysis accentuates a solid and a more balanced link between mobile money use and yield growth than between loans and yields alone. This led to the belief that something as straightforward as reliable payment systems can be as significant as formal credit. All things considered, digital finance is aiding farmers in overcoming monetary obstacles, investing with confidence which in turn steadily raises productivity. These changes covey the impression that there can be a future where technology and finance work hand in hand to secure both rural livelihoods and national food supplies.

Keywords

Publication Details

• Type of Publication:
• Conference Name: Gazipur Agricultural University International Conference (GAUIC 2025)
• Date of Conference: 12/12/2025 - 12/12/2025
• Venue: Gazipur Agriculture University, Salna, Gazipur, Bangladesh
• Organizer: Gazipur Agricultural University