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Relationships of Selected Characteristics of Potato Growers with Their Problem Confrontation

M.S. Rahman
BAUEC, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

M.A. Kashem
Dept. of Agril Extension Education, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted to determine the extent of problem faced by the fanners in respect of cultivating potato in the four aspects namely use of quality seed, use of recommended fertilizer, use of pesticides and use of irrigation in potato cultivation and to explore relationships between problem faced by the farmers in respect of cultivating potato and their four selected characteristics. Data were collected by personal interviewing from 80 farmers selected randomly from a population of 800 under Saltia union of Gaffargaon Upazila of Mymensingh district. Majority of the farmers (60 percent) had high problems in using quality seed compared to 35 percent having medium problem and 5 percent low problem in potato cultivation. In using recommended fertilizers, the majority of the farmers (46.3) faced high problems compared to 36.25 percent and 17.5 percent facing medium and low problems respectively. In using irrigation it was found that majority of the farmers (67.50 percent) faced high problems compared to 31.25 percent and 1.25 percent having medium and low problem respectively. In applying pesticides it was found that majority of them (71.25) had high problem compared to 27.5 percent and 1.25 percent having medium and low problem faced respectively. The intensity of problems faced by the farmers in the four selected aspects was shown by the problem facing index (PFl). The PFI indicated that the farmers had highest problem in using pesticides followed by irrigation in rank as shown by the PFj of 268. Statistical tests showed that education, agricultural knowledge. total annual income and farm size of the farmers had significant negative relationships with their problems of potato cultivation.

Keywords: Potato growers, Problem confrontation, Characteristics

Location: Saltia union of Gaffargaon Upazila of Mymensingh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Non-commodity: Database Management

Objectives:

1. To determine the extent of problems faced by the farmers in cultivating potato, and to explore the relationships between problems faced by the farmer in cultivating potato and their selected characteristics.

Methodology:

The farmers directly involved in potato cultivation of Chorgorompur, Dhamail and Shilashi villages of Saltia union under Gaffargaon Upazila of Mymensingh district constituted the population of the study. Thus, 800 farmers were the population of the study. Data were however, collected from a sample of 80 farmers selected by simple random sampling procedure. The researcher himself collected the data by interview procedure. An interview schedule was prepared in BangIa to collect the required data for this study. The schedule included simple and direct questions as well as appropriate scales. Problem faced by the farmers in four aspects of cultivating potato was the dependent variable of the study. The aspects were use of quality seed, use of recommended fertilizer, use of pesticides and use of irrigation. The dependent variable was measured by using a three-point rating scale. An individual farmer indicated the extent of his problems against three responses such as much, little and not at all with a weights of 2, 1 and 0 respectively for each of the 5 items in this scale. A problem facing index (PFI) was calculated to ascertain the extent of problems faced by the potato growers. The PFI was calculated by using the following formula: PFI = PIX, + PmX2 + PhX3 Where, p, = % of farmers having low problem facing Pm= % of farmers having medium problem facing Ph = % of farmers having high problem facing Problem facing index (PFI) for anyone of the selected aspects could range from 100 to 300, where 100 indicated low problem facing and 300 high problem facing. Quality seed problem scores of the farmers ranged from 4 to 18 against the possible range of 0 to 20, the average being 13.56. The finding shows that the majority of the farmers (60 percent) had high problem while Pesticides though are required in small quantity, but its crisis often becomes severe problems for the farmers. Similarly, irrigation problems often appear as the important problems for the farmers especially when the price of diesel rises in the markets. Probably due to these reasons pesticides and irrigation appeared as the dominant problems for the farmers in potato cultivation.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education, Volume 16, No.2, 2004:93-97 ; ISSN 1011-3916

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The findings indicate that the farmers faced considerable problems in all aspects of cultivating potato. However, the extent of problems faced by them in taking recommended plant protection measures was the highest. Potato is susceptible to many insect pests and disease. Taking of plant protection measures against the pests and disease in potato cultivation is a costly operation. A considerable amount of money is necessary to buy the necessary agricultural inputs, which the common farmers usually cannot afford. The findings of the study also showed that only 27.5 percent of the farmers had high annual income (more than taka sixty thousand per year). Consequently, it becomes difficult for them to procure costly inputs like pesticides and sprayers due to lack of necessary capital. Farmers will continue to face problems in potato cultivation unless arrangements are made for controlling the pests and disease of potato at least by reducing the costs of pesticides and sprayers.

Knowledge Management: Journal