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A Survey of Potato Growers in Bangladesh: Production and Challenges

Saifullah Omar Nasif
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh

Md. Nasir Hossain Sani
Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted in the 20 upazila of 10 selected major potato growing districts of Bangladesh to find out the present potato cultivation status, challenges, diversity of pests and their risks management options among the farmers. The data were collected through interview of 500 potato farmers considering 25 potato farmers from each upazila. The BARI Alu-7 (Diamant) was most susceptible potato variety to insect pests and diseases, whereas the Lal-pakhri was the least susceptible to pests. Most of the fields (98.50%) were infested by cutworm. Among these pests, cutworm and aphid were identified as major pests and caused high and moderate infestations respectively. Others were identified as minor pests of potato with low infestations. Potato tuber worm was found as the key pest in storage condition. Rat was reported as the most infesting vertebrate storage pests. Currently cutworm and aphid were more damaging insect pest of potato in field condition than previous infestation, and potato tuber worm was more damaging insect pest in storage. Insecticide spray is the most favorable pest control method among the potato growers. Only a little portion of farmers have knowledge about integrated pest management (IPM) practices. So, it is expected the proper awareness program and planning will be taken to handle such challenges.

Keywords: Insects, Diversity, Potato, Farmers

Location: Farmers in Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-12-2014

End Date: 00-02-2015

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Potato

Objectives:

To find out the control options against insect pests of potato commonly used by the farmers in Bangladesh.

Methodology:

A total of 20 upazilas were selected under 10 sampled districts considering 2 upazila for each district and 25 potato growers were interviewed in each upazila through pre-tested questionnaire. There were some well- defined data indicators in the questionnaire namely name, age, sex, education, profession, farm size, variety of potato cultivated, occurrence and severity of insect pests of potato, potential risk and economic damage caused by these pests, status of insect pests of potato, effective measures practiced by the farmers in controlling the insect pests of potato, suggestions for improving management options for controlling insect pests of potato in Bangladesh. For survey, stratified sampling technique was followed to select districts and simple random sampling technique was used to select sample areas in districts. Data were obtained by face to face interview of 500 respondents of selected areas. Before interviewing, objectives of the study were explained to them. The survey was carried out during the major potato growing season of Bangladesh (December 2014 to February 2015). Out of 500, most (94.5%) of the potato farmers (473) were male, while only 5.5% potato farmers (28) participated in the study were female. The information of the farmers’ knowledge on insect pests of potato and their risks has been discussed. After the completion of data collection, all filled up questionnaires were preserved according to the category of respondents for processing and data analysis. Data on different parameters were analyzed through computer software SPSS version 20. As soon as collected from the field, the filled-up questionnaires were coded and data entry were completed using SPSS and MS Access computer packages as well as the data were analyzed for tabulation of the primary data into data tables.

Source of Information: Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 5, No. 2, August 2018 : 165-174.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Present study was conducted to assess the current scenario and the major challenges of potato production along with the aim of finding the risk management tactics among the farmers in Bangladesh. Data showed that major growers of potato are male and the potato variety Diamant is the most popular variety among them. Though BADC is responsible to supply any kind of seeds in Bangladesh, majority of farmers use their own seed for potato cultivation. Among these pests, cutworm and aphid were identified as major pests and caused high and moderate infestations respectively. Others were identified as minor pests of potato with low infestations. Potato tuber worm was found as the key pest in storage condition. Rat was reported as the most infesting vertebrate storage pests. Currently cutworm and aphid were more damaging insect pest of potato in field condition than previous infestation, and potato tuber worm was more damaging insect pest in storage. Insecticide spray is the most favorable pest control method among the potato growers. Only a little portion of farmers have knowledge about integrated pest management (IPM) practices. So, it is expected the proper awareness program and planning will be taken to handle such challenges.

Knowledge Management: Journal