PROBLEMS FACED BY THE FARMERS IN SUGARCANE CULTIVATION

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out the extent of problems faced by the farmers in sugarcane cultivation and to expJore the relationships of the farmers' selected characteristics with their problems faced in sugarcane cultivation. The study was conducted in 9 selected villages under Pabna Sadar UpaziJla. Data were collected from a proportionately random sample of 100 sugarcane farmers by using an interview schedule during I 0 September, 2007 to 11 November, 2007. The majority (68 percent) of the farmers faced moderate problem in sugarcane cultivation, while 8 percent low and 24 percent serious problem in sugarcane cultivation. Correlation analysis indicated that among 13 selected characteristics of the farmers, 6 namely, education, credit availability, input availability, extension media contact, training exposure and knowledge had significant negative relationship with their problem faced in sugarcane cultivation and the rest 7 characteristics namely, age, family size, land possession, annual family income, sugarcane cultivation area, organizational participation and innovativeness had no significant relationship with their problem faced in sugarcane cultivation. On the basis of Problem Faced Index, it was observed that "high price of fertilizer and pesticide", "Non-availability of fertilizer and pesticide in time" and "insect and pest attack of sugarcane" were the major three problems in sugarcane cultivation.