FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE REGARDING SAFE VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of knowledge, attitude and practice of the farmers regarding safe vegetable production, explore the relationships between six selected characteristics of the farmers with their knowledge, attitude and practices and the inter-correlation among knowledge, attitude and practices regarding safe vegetable production. Data were collected from 90 farmers from four unions of Dohar and Nawabganj upazila under Dhaka district by using an interview schedule. Data were collected from October 25, 2022 to December 23, 2022. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, range and percentage were used to describe the variables under consideration. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to explore the relationship. Majorit y (61.1 %) of the farmers possessed ‘medium knowledge’ while 15.6 % and 23.3 % of the farmers possessed ‘low’ and ‘high knowledge’ respect ively in safe vegetable production. The majority (71.1 %) of the farmers’ had favorable attitude towards safe vegetable production compared to (22.2 %) having unfavorable and only (6.7 %) had neutral attitude. Majorit y (58.9 %) of the farmers had ‘medium practice’ while (16.7 %) far mers had ‘high practice’ and (24.4 %) farmers had ‘low practice’ of safe vegetable production. Commercializat ion and extension contact had significant posit ive relat ionship with farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practices on safe vegetable production and percent safe vegetable production area had negat ive significant relat ionship wit h farmers’ practices on safe vegetable production. Age, education and BCR from vegetable production had no significant relationship with their knowledge, attitude and practices in safe vegetable production. According to Standardized Problem Faced Index (SPFI), ‘low price against production cost’, was ranked first (SPFI 78.88 %) and ‘high production cost’ ranked the last (SPFI 45.55 %) regarding safe vegetable production. It is therefore, recommended that concerned authorities should give attention to solve the problems faced by the farmers by providing training and loan at cultivation season and making more contact with farmers, so that they can get more knowledge, form favorable attitude and more use of improved practices of safe vegetable production.