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Farmers’ Perception About Variety Development and Abiotic Stresses on Potato Cultivation in Bangladesh

M. A. MONAYEM MIAH 1

, T. M. B. HOSSAIN1 , S. HOSSAIN1 M. S. KADIAN2 AND M. HOSSAIN3 1Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Bangladesh. 2 International Potato Center (CIP), Liaison Office, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, India, 3Tuber Crops Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur1701, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The socio-economic information on variety development and abiotic stresses of potato cultivation at farm level are scarce in Bangladesh. Therefore, an attempt was made to assess farmers’ perceptions about variety development and different abiotic stresses on potato cultivation. Primary data were collected from 240 potato farmers of Bogra and Chittagong district. The study revealed that Granula, Cardinal, and Lalpakri were the most preferred potato varieties in Bogra, while Diamant and Dohazari were the dominant varieties in Chittagong. Most farmers (70.87%) believe that the current potato yield (21.5-22.67 t/ha) can be further increased through introducing new HYVs. Drought and heat were two important limiting factors towards achieving the higher levels of potato yield. High yielding ability was considered as the most desirable varietal character and this was opined by almost 92.1% respondents, followed by drought resistant (61.13%), proper late blight control (58.75%), availability of adequate fund (57.77%), heat tolerant (53.60%), early maturity (61.5%), and good demand (44.5%) for HYV potatoes, whereas good test (81.7%), higher price (69.6%) and good storability (65.2%) were reported for local varieties. Low yield, susceptible to diseases, late maturity and low demand were the reasons for abandoning some potato varieties in the past. Dohazari variety for Chittagong and Lalpakri for Bogra have higher levels of tolerance against abiotic stresses. Finally, early maturity followed by drought tolerance, heat tolerance, and salinity tolerance were important attributes farmers wanted in new potato varieties.

Keywords: Farmers’ perception, variety development, abiotic stress, potato cultivation.

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End Date:

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Commodity:

Objectives:

Specific Objectives i. to find out the types of potato varieties using by the farmers and their farm level yields; ii. to assess farmers’ perceptions on variety development and abiotic stresses about potato cultivation; iii. to recommend some policy guidelines for developing stress tolerant potato varieties.

Methodology:

Sampling technique: Multi-stages sampling technique was adopted to select sample respondents for the study. At the first stage, two potato growing districts, namely Bogra and Chittagong were selected purposively. Bogra district represents the drought prone areas, whereas Chittagong district represents the heat and saline areas of Bangladesh. In the second stage, four Upazilas from Bogra district and two Upazilas from Chittagong district were also purposively selected consulting with both local extension personnel and potato scientists. Considering the resource limitations, only two Upazilas from Chittagong district were selected. In the third stage, one agricultural block from each selected Upazila was selected for household survey. In the final stage of sampling, a total of 240 potato farmers (6 blocks x 40 samples), taking 40 farmers from each block were chosen from the list of potato growers following simple random sampling method irrespective of farm category for interview. Method of data collection: A pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect primary data and information from potato farmers during October 2010. Relevant information of the studied Upazilas were obtained from local DAE offices. A team of experienced scientists and trained enumerators collected primary data and information through interviewing the sampled potato farmers. Analytical technique: The collected data were edited, summarized, and analyzed based on various categories of potato farmers i.e. marginal (cultivated area 0.202- 0.603 ha), small (cultivated area 0.607-1.008 ha), medium (cultivated area 1.012- 3.032 ha), and large (cultivated area >3.036 ha). In most cases, simple descriptive statistics and accounting methods were adopted to analyze the collected data.

Source of Information: ISSN 0258-7122 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(3): 401-416, September 2013

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

i. The highly used potato varieties were Granula, Cardinal, and Lalpakri in Bogra district, whereas Diamant and Dohazari were the preferred varieties in Chittagong areas. In 2009-2010, the yield of HYV potatoes ranged from 21.50 to 22.67 t/ha, while the LVs, the yield range was 15.31 to 16.74 t/ha. Most farmers believed that level of current potato yield could be uplifted through (a) introducing new high yielding potato varieties; (b) developing drought resistant varieties; (c) improving training on potato cultivation; (d) extending financial support; and (e) controlling late blight disease. ii. The most desirable varietal characters of HYV potatoes were high yield, early maturity, and good market demand. Similarly, good test, higher price, and good storability were important characters for local variety. iii. Low yield, susceptible to diseases, late maturity and low demand were the reasons for extinction of some potato varieties in the past. iv. Among others, drought and heat were the two important factors causing lower yield of potato. Drought was, especially a potential threat for marginal and small farmers. v. Dohazari variety for Chittagong and Lalpakri for Bogra has higher levels of tolerance against abiotic stresses. Besides, early maturity followed by drought tolerance, heat tolerance and salinity tolerance were the important attributes farmers wanted in new potato varieties.

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