HINDRANCE AND PROSPECTS OF WATERMELON CULTIVATION IN BANGLADESH FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF FARMERS IN KOTALIPARA UPAZILA UNDER GOPALGANJ DISTRICT

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to assess the hindrance and prospects of watermelon cultivation in Bangladesh from the perspectives of farmers in Kotalipara upazila under Gopalganj district. Data were gathered from 121 watermelon farmers of selected villages of Kotalipara upazila under Gopalganj district by using a semi structured interview schedule during the period from 15 April to 15 May, 2017. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient were used for data analysis. The findings reveal that more than half (64.5%) of the respondents faced medium hindrance in watermelon cultivation, while 18.2 percent faced low hindrance and 17.3 percent faced high hindrance. Majority (57.9%) of the respondents perceived medium level prospects of watermelon cultivation, while 23.1 percent found low level prospects of watermelon cultivation and only 19 percent respondents confirmed high level of prospects for watermelon cultivation. The statistical analysis exposed that age, watermelon cultivation experience, watermelon covering area, annual family income, income from watermelon, microfinance received, agricultural training exposure and input availability had significant negative relationship with the hindrance faced by the farmers in watermelon cultivation where age, watermelon cultivation experience, watermelon covering area, annual family income, income from watermelon, agricultural training exposure, agricultural extension media contact and input availability had significant positive relationship with the prospects of watermelon cultivation.