4.2. Estimated unrestricted functions
All non-multiplicative household level variables included in the
estimated unrestricted function (in which we included all possible
explanatory variables) were highly statistically significant at the 95
or 99% probability level, with the expected coefficient signs for
explaining ownership of irrigation pumps, threshers, and power
tillers (Table 4). The dummy for the household owner who never
worked as a wage labourer, number of adults, pond ownership,
livestock number, total land owned, and medium and large farm
household size dummies were all positively and significantly
(P < 0.001) related to machinery adoption.
Conversely, the female-headed household dummy was negative
and significant (P < 0.001) in the estimated functions relating
this variable to thresher and 2WT ownership, though there was no
statistically significant difference in ownership of pumps. These
results support the findings of previous research in Bangladesh
showing that women headed households are less likely to own
agricultural assets than those headed by men (e.g., Quisumbing