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Perception of Farmers Regarding Environmental Degradation Due to Injudicious Use of Agro-chemicals

M. S. Golbagi

S. Alamin
Gono Kollayan Trust, Shamolli, Dhaka

M. M. Rahman
Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi

M. M. Sheikh
Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi

F. Chowdhury
Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was undertaken to assess the farmers’ perception on adverse effect of injudicious use of agro-chemicals in Raypur union of Pirgonj Upzila under Rangpur District. About 48.14% of the farmers had high perception compared to 13.88% of them had medium perception and 37.96% very high perception regarding environmental degradation due to the use of agrochemicals. The findings revealed that level of education, farm size, family income cosmopoliteness, organizational participation media exposure innovativeness and knowledge on the use of agro-chemicals were found positively correlated with their perception on adverse effect of injudicious use of agro-chemicals. Only two characteristics of the farmers like age and family size showed no relationship with their perception on adverse effect of injudicious use of agro-chemicals.

Keywords: Perception, Environmental, Degradation, Agro-Chemicals

Location: Raypur union of Pirgonj Upzila under Rangpur District

Start Date: 20-02-2009

End Date: 25-03-2009

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Commodity: Fungicide

Objectives:

1. To assess the farmers’ perception on adverse effect of injudicious use of agro-chemicals; and 2. To determine and to explore the relationship between the selected characteristics of farmers with their perception on adverse effect of injudicious use of agro-chemicals.

Methodology:

Study area, sampling and collection of data - The study was conducted at three Villages namely Nakherpara, Dhulgary and Garaber of Raypur union of Pirgonj Upzila under Rangpur District. The total numbers of farmers of these three villages were 1188 which constituted the population of the study. Ten per cent of the population i.e. 108 farmers were selected as sample of the study. The researcher also prepared a reserve list of 15 farmers from the list of the population for use in case of non-availability of the sampled respondents. Data were collected through interview schedule in the survey area during 20 February to 25 March 2009. Variables of the study and their measurement - Nine selected independent characteristics namely age, educational qualification, family size, farm size, family income, innovativeness, media exposures, organizational participation and Knowledge on the use of agro-chemicals of the respondents were considered as the independent variables of the study. In all nine individual characteristics of the farmers were measured either by direct scoring or by developing appropriate scales. Farmers’ perception on adverse effect of injudicious use of agro-chemicals was considered as dependent variables. A three point modified Likert method of summated ratings was used to measure perception. Because, the respondent of our socio-cultural situation might not response appropriately according to the original Likert scale. The scale contained 20 statements in connection of which 10 were positively worded and 10 were negatively worded. The respondents were asked to answer on the specific issues based on his experience, observation and knowledge gathered form different means and sources. The selected statements were randomly arranged so as to avoid farmers’ bias in indicating their reaction on environmental degradation caused due to their use of agrochemicals. Relating to positive statements, farmers’ responses expressed by “agree” “no answer” and “disagree” a score of 3, 2 and 1 was assigned respectively. On the other hands, for a negative statement the scoring order was reversed. Thus, perception score of a farmer could range from 0 to 60, where 0 indicate no perception and 60 indicate very high perception.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 3(1): 17-20, 2010; ISSN 1999-7361

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Determining farmers’ perception on adverse effect of injudicious use of agro-chemicals is of great importance for achieving the environmental friendly agriculture production. Study indicates the overall situation in terms of the farmers’ perception on adverse effect of injudicious use of agro-chemicals is quite satisfactory. Thus, development organizations should continue their effort to increase farmers’ perception. The study also showed that level of education, farm size, family income cosmopoliteness, organizational participation media exposure innovativeness and knowledge on the use of agrochemicals were found positively correlated with their perception on adverse effect of injudicious use of agro-chemicals. These facts lead to the conclusion that there are potentials to formation of favourable perception on adverse effect of injudicious use of agro-chemicals.

Knowledge Management: Journal