The study was conducted at Batiaghata Upazila under Khulna district. The researcher deliberately selected 5 unions from the Upazila. The selected unions of Batiaghata Upazila were Jalma, Batiaghata, Vandercoat, Gangarampur and Surkhali. An up-to date list of all farm households of the selected unions were prepared with the help of the Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer working there in. The list comprised a total number of 320 farm families (Jalma-Ill, Batiaghata-56, Vandercoat-37, Gongarampur-54 and Surkhali-62). Thus, the 320 farm households of five selected unions of the Upazila (Batiaghata) constituted the active population of the study. To make a representative sample, 25 percent (%) of the population was selected following proportionate random sampling technique. Thus, the sample size so drawn stood as 80. Data were collected from the respondents through personal interview using an interview schedule during November 10 to December 22, 2006. Data were collected on farmers' knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding integrated farming (IF). Besides, data were also collected on some of the selected characteristics of the farmers. The selected characteristics included age, education, experience in farming, experience in integrated farming, family size, farm size, annual income, organizational participation, cosmopoliteness, training and extension contact.
Measurement/ Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of farmers regarding integrated farming (IF)
Knowledge on integrated farming To evaluate the knowledge of a respondent on integrated farming a 10 item scale was included in the interview schedule. Each respondent was asked to answer all the 10 questions. Each of the questions was assigned a score of one (1) irrespective of their hardness or difficulties to answer by the respondents. Thus the whole questions comprised of 10 marks. Each respondent was given a particular number depending on the percentage of appropriateness of his answer to the question. The total score obtained by a respondent was calculated by summing up the scores against each of the 10 questions.
Attitude regarding integrated farming To evaluate the attitude of the farmers regarding integrated farming (IF) a number of 10-statements were included in the interview schedule. A five-point Likert's type scale (highly agree, agree, undecided, disagree, highly disagree) were fit against each of the statements and a weight of 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 were assigned respectively. The attitude score of a respondent was determined by summing of all of the score against the ten statements.
Practice on integrated farming A number of 15 practices were incorporated in the interview schedule to evaluate the practice on integrated farming (IF) by the respondents. A four point rating scale like regularly, sometimes, rarely and not at all was assigned against each of the statements to determine the extent of practice and a.weight of 3, 2, 1 and 0 was assigned against each of the rating scale respectively. The practice score on IF of a respondent was determined by summing up the obtained score against each of the 15 practices. The extent of the practice was determined based on IFPI (Integrated Farming Practice Index). The IFPI was determined by using following formula-
IFPI=N1x3 + N2x2 + N3x1 + N4x0 Where, IFPI= Integrated Farming Practice Index N1= No. of respondents practicing integrated farming regularly N2= No. of respondents practicing integrated farming sometimes N3= No. of respondents practicing integrated farming rarely N4= No. of respondents don't practicing the particular integrated farming practice The IFPI might range from 0-240.
Data processing and analysis Collected data were compiled, coded, tabulated for processing and analysis in accordance with the objectives of the study. For arriving at a meaningful conclusion, tabular presentation of data was intensively used. The MSTAT-C and SPSS computer package program were used to analysis the data. Descriptive statistics like number, percentage, range, rank order, mean and standard deviation were used in describing the selected independent and dependent variables of the study.