CONSTRAINTS FACED BY THE BADC CONTRACT GROWERS IN QUALITY SEED POTATO PRODUCTION

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to determine the constraints faced by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) contract growers in quality seed potato production and to explore the relationships between the selected characteristics of the contract growers and their constraints faced in quality seed potato production. The study was conducted in four selected villages namely, Shobsar and Dadpur of Bargachi union in Paba upazila and Kalaipara and Gondogwali of Geopara union in Puthia upazila under Rajshahi district respectively. Data were collected from 100 BADC contract growers by using a pre-tested interview schedule during the period from April 20 to May 20. 2008. A three point rating scale was developed to measure the dependent variables of the study. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) test was used to ascertain the relationships between the concerned independent and dependent variables of the study. Correlation analysis indicates that age, farm size and annual income of the BADC contract growers had no significant relationship with their constraints laced in quality seed potato production. On the other hand. education, knowledge on potato cultivation, extension communication and social participation of the BADC contract growers had significant negative relationship with their constraints faced in quality seed potato production. The study revealed that 66 percent of the respondents faced medium constraints in quality seed potato production. On the other hand 33 percent faced low constraints and only I percent faced high constraints. In this study, 6 (six) aspects of constraints were selected to measure the extent of constraints faced by the BADC contract growers in quality seed potato production. According to the descending order of Constraints Facing index (CM) the selected constraints were (i) constraints faced related to manures and fertilizers, (ii) constraints faced related to preservation and marketing o potatoes, (iii) constraints faced related to quality seed potatoes, (iv) constraints faced related to diseases and insects (v) constraints faced related to irrigation and (vi) constraints faced related to capital.