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Abstract
The study estimated the profitability and comparative advantage of lentil production in Bangladesh. It analyzed 360 household’s data collected from 240 improved variety users and 120 non-users spread in the six lentil growing districts namely Faridpur, Magura, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Manikganj, and Sirajganj. Along with descriptive statistics, different models were used for analyzing the data. The yield of improved variety (1.664 t/ha) was much higher than local cultivars (1.08 t/ha). The highest yield was found in medium-intensive growing areas due to the use of better variety and a higher level of inputs. Improved lentil cultivation was profitable from the financial point of view (Tk. 48,165/ha) and an economic perspective (Tk. 15,083/ha). The prices of pesticides, seed, cowdung, and DAP fertilizer were common factors that had a negative significant effect on the net return of both improved and local variety lentil production. The domestic production of improved lentils had a comparative advantage (DRC= 0.72). Some lentil farmers wanted to decrease lentil cultivation due to lack of suitable land, biotic and abiotic stresses, and lack of improved lentil seeds. Farmers should be encouraged to expand their lands for improved lentil cultivation to increase their benefit, improve soil fertility, and for a better comparative advantage of production.