TRAINING NEEDS ON RICE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE FARMERS OF DHAMRAI UPAZILA UNDER DHAKA DISTRICT

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to determine the extent of training needs on rice production technologies for the farmers of Dhamrai Upazila under Dhaka district. This study was conducted over 98 farmers at three village named Foringa, Chorsungar, Chorbodayel in Rowail union of Durgapur Block. The objectives were to: (1) describe the socio— demographic characteristics of the farmers (2) determine the training needs of the farmers on rice production (3) explore the relationships between the selected characteristics of the respondents such as age, education, family size, farm size, annual gross income, farming experience, extension contact, organizational participation, cosmopoliteness, agricultural knowledge and training need .Appropriate scales were developed in order to measure the concerned variables . In the study group nearly 57.77% farmers were middle aged (42-58 yrs.). Majority of the farmers (46.66%) had primary level of education compared to other categories. About 50% respondents had medium family size with (5-6) members. Most of the (80%) rice growers owned small farm (0.2- 1.0 ha). Majority number respondents (53.33%) had lower level of farming experience. The annual gross income of the respondents ranged between 10000—200000 tk. Majority of the rice growers (53.33%) had low level extension contact. A little over 4.44% rice growers had high organizational participation. In respect of cosmopoliteness, 48.88% had medium level exposure outside to their localities and 33.33 % farmers had only sound knowledge in agriculture. In fact the rice growers expressed their training need for land preparation, seed technology, intercultural operation, HYV rice production, fertilizer application, plant protection measures, irrigation management, IPM practice and advanced equipment use. Sixty seven percent (67%) of the study group were highly in need of training on the above mentioned topics. Of the ten selected independent variables age, education, farming experience, extension contact, organizational participation and knowledge on agriculture had significant relationship with their training needs.