FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE (KAP) TOWARDS AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION OF BABUGANJ UPAZILLA UNDER BARISHAL DISTRICT

Abstract

Mechanization is a process through which agricultural activities can be improved and optimum crop production can be achieved. The objectives of this study were to describe the selected socio-economic profile of the farmers, to determine the extent of farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practice against agricultural mechanization, to explore the correlation among each of selected characteristics of farmers and their knowledge, attitude and practice towards agricultural mechanization. The study was undertaken purposively in Babuganj upazilla under Barishal district. Validated and well-structured interview schedule was used to collect data. The statistical measures such as range, means, standard deviation, number and percentage distribution were used to describe the selected variables. Pearson’s Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation (r) was used in order to explore the relationships between the concerned variables. The findings of the study showed that 86.8% of the farmers had poor to moderate knowledge, 63.21% of them had low favorable attitude and 77.4% had medium level of practice of agricultural mechanization. The findings also implies that the educational qualification, farm size, annual family income, area under agricultural mechanization, training received on agricultural mechanization, agricultural extension media contact, agricultural machinery using experience had significant relationship with their knowledge, attitude and practice towards agricultural mechanization. Bangladesh agriculture is currently facing several challenges like ageing farmers, feminization of agriculture, farm labor shortage, shrinking land, degradation of natural resources, soaring prices, and vulnerability to climate change, etc. To face these problems there is no other better option than practicing agricultural mechanization. It is concluded that adequate technical support, cooperative farming system, credit availability, extension media contact, training facilities need to be extended to enhance farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practice towards agricultural mechanization.