TRAINING NEEDS OF FARMERS ON RICE PRODUCTION IN DHAMRAI UPAZILA UNDER DHAKA DISTRICT

Abstract

The study was conducted at Shailan village in Shombag union under Dhamrai Upazilaof Dhaka district. I he objectives were to: (I) describe the socio­ demographic characteristics of the fanners,(2) determine the training needs of the farmers on rice production emphasizing five selected aspects namely: seed technology, HYV of rice variety. fertilizer application. pest control measure and irrigation management. (3) explore the relationships between the selected characteristics of the respondents such as age, education, farm size, family size, family I) pc. annual gross income, fanning experience, extension contact. organizational participation and cosmopoliteness, knowledge on seed technology. knowledge on improved variety, knowledge on fertilizer application. knowledge on pest and diseases. knowledge on irrigation, training needs, interest in receiving training. In the study group nearly 62% farmers were middle aged (31-52 yrs.). Majority of the farmers (49%) had secondary level of education compared to other categories. About 43% respondents had medium site family (5-6) members. Most of the (64'}'0) rice growers owned medium farm ( 1.01-3.50 ha). Majority 'number respondents (54%) had less farming experience. lhc annual gross income or half or the respondents ranged between Ik90,010-220,000. Majority of the rice growers (49°·o) had IO\\ extension contact (4-6). A little over 36% rice growers had high organizational participation. In respect of cosrnopolitcness, 61 % had medium level exposure outside to their localities. In fact the rice growers expressed their training need for seed technology. l lYV of rice variety, fertilizer application, plant protection measures and irrigation management. Sixty seven percent (67%) of the study group were high I) in need of training on the above mentioned topics. Of the fifteen selected independent variables, age, education, farm experience. organizational participation and knowledge on fertilizer application had significant relationships with their training needs.