USE OF INTEGRATED CROP MANAGEMENT (ICM) PRACTICES BY THE FARMERS OF PIROJPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of use of integrated crop management (ICM) practices by the farmers and to explore the relationship between selected characteristics of the growers and their use of ICM practices. The selected characteristics were age, education, family labor size, farm size, annual family income, training exposure, times spent in farming, contact with extension media and knowledge on ICM. Data were gathered from proportionally and randomly selected 110 respondents (farmers) of Kawkhali upazila under Pirojpur district by using a pretested interview schedule during the period of 1 st January to 30 March, 2019. Apart from descriptive statistical methods, Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient analysis was used in order to analyze the data. Findings indicated that

the majority

(96.37%) of the respondents had low to medium use of ICM and 3.63% had high use of ICM. Out of nine selected characteristics of the respondents, education, farm size, training exposure, extension contact and knowledge on ICM had positive and significant relationship with their use of ICM. To increase the use of ICM practices by the farmers, the policy makers should consider the above significant factors.