PROBLEM CONFRONTATION IN BETEL LEAF CULTIVATION BY THE FARMERS OF NATORE DISTRICT

Abstract

The main objectives of the study was to determine the problem confrontation of the betel leaf farmers in betel leaf cultivation and also to explore the relationships between the selected characteristics of the betel leaf farmers and their problem confrontation in betel leaf cultivation. The study was conducted in the Gurudaspur and Baraigram upazila under Natore district. An update list of 978 farmers who were related to betel leaf cultivation from the selected upazilas was prepared with the help of Upazila Agricultural Officer of these localities. Around 10% of the populations were randomly selected as the sample of the study by using random sampling method. Thus, 98 betel leaf farmers constituted the sample of the study. A well structured interview schedule was developed based on objectives of the study for collecting information. The researcher himself collected data through personal contact. The independent variables were: age, level of education, family size, farm size, betel leaf cultivation area, family annual income, experience in betel leaf cultivation, knowledge on betel leaf cultivation, media exposure, cosmopoliteness, social organizational participation and problems in betel leaf cultivation. The dependent variable of this study was the Problem confrontation in betel leaf cultivation by the farmers of Natore District. Data collection was started in 12 August, 2014 and completed in 20 September, 2014. Among the respondents, the highest 56.12 percent betel leaf farmers belongs to the group of medium problem confrontation and the lowest percentage 20.42 percent in high problem confrontation. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient between dependent and independent variable revealed that age, level of education, experience in betel leaf cultivation, knowledge on betel leaf cultivation, media exposure, cosmopoliteness, social organizational participation had significant positive relationships with problem confrontation of betel leaf farmers. Farm size, betel leaf cultivation area, family annual income had non significant positive relationships with problem confrontation of betel leaf farmers. On the other hand, problems in betel leaf cultivation had significant negative relationship with problem confrontation of betel leaf farmers and family size had non significant negative relationship under the present study. As per Problem Confrontation Index (PCI) arrangement of auto rickshaw, van as transport facilities for marketing positioned the 1 st and arrangement of interest free loan from relatives and family savings in 12