CONSTRAINTS FACED BY THE FARMERS IN POTATO CULTIVATION IN JHIKARGACHA UPAZILA UNDER JESSORE DISTRICT

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out the extent of constraints faced by the farmers in respect of potato cultivation on the six selected dimensions in potato cultivation and to explore the relationships between constraints faced by the farmers in potato cultivation and farmers' seven selected characteristics. Data were collected by an interview schedule from 80 farmers selected randomly from a population of 270 of ten villages of Jhikargacha upazila under Jessore district during the period of l ~1 July to 30t1' July 2006.Findings of the study indicated that majority (71 %) of the farmers faced medium constraints in use of quality seed, compared to 24% faced high constraints and only 5% faced low constraints in potato cultivation. In using fertilizers the majority (76%) of the farmers faced medium constraints, compared to 23% and only 1 % faced high and low constraints respectively. In using irrigation it was found that the majority (67%) of the farmers faced medium constraints, compared to 24% and only 9% faced high and low constraints respectively. In case of potato preservation it was found that the majority (53%) of the farmers faced high constraints, compared to 47% faced medium constraints and there was no one who faced low constraints in potato preservation. In case of potato marketing, it was found that the majority (79%) of the farmers faced medium constraints; compared to 9% faced high constraints and 12% faced low constraints in potato marketing. In using agricultural credit, it was found that the majority (44%) of the farmers faced medium constraints, compared to 27% faced high constraints and 23% faced low constraints and 6% did not take any loan in potato cultivation. The comparative constraints faced by the farmers in the six selected dimensions were shown by the Constraints Facing Index (CFI). The CFI indicated that the potato farmers faced high constraints in potato preservation, as indicated by it's of CFI 253. Extent of constraints faced in use of fertilizers came next in rank as shown by the CFI of 222, then use of quality seed (CFI of 219), then use of irrigation (CFI 215), then potato marketing (CFI 197) and use of agricultural credit (CFI of 192) respectively. The average overall constraints faced score was 81.44. A large number (62%) of potato formers faced medium overall constraints faced compared to 24% farmers faced high constraints and 14 % farmers faced low constraints in potato cultivation. Statistical tests showed that education, farm size, annual family income knowledge on potato cultivation, extension contact and social participation of the farmers had significant negative relationships with their constraints faced in potato cultivation.