ADOPTION OF CROP DIVERSIFICATIN BY THE FARMERS OF KALlAKOIR UPAZIIA UNDER GAZIPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

n purpose of the study was to determine the extent of crop diversification by the farmers of Kaliakoir upazilla under Gazipur district and to explore the relationships between the selected characteristics of the respondents and their extent of adoption of crop diversification. The study was conducted in four unions covering eight villages of KaJiakoir upazila under Gazipur district. Data were coJlected from 100 farmers by using a pre-tested interview schedule during the period from October 20 to November 20, 2006. From the study it was found that the highest proportion (38 percent) of the farmers had high adoption of crop diversification compared to 32 and 30 percent having low and medium adoption of crop diversification respectively. Pearson Product Moment Correlation(s) test was used to ascertain the relationships between the concerned dependent and independent variables of the study. Findings revealed that farm size, family annual income, credit received, extension contact, organizational participation, tIaining exposure and knowledge on crop diversification had significant positive relationship with the adoption of crop diversification while age, level of education, family size and number of family labor had no significant relationship with the adoption of crop diversification. On the basis of descending order of Problem Confrontation Index, the farmers confronted the problems were "lack of technical knowledge", "lack of extension service", "lack of inputs in time", "unfavourable climate", "high pest attack", "difficult to practice crop diversification" and "less crop production by adopting crop diversification".