Farmers’ Income Generation through Vermicomposting in Chapainawabgonj

Abstract

The main thrust of the study was to determine the extent of farmers’ income generation through vermicomposting. It further determines the factors that influence farmers’ income generation through vermicomposting. The study was conducted at three (3) upazila of Chapainawabgonj district namely Chapainawabgonj Sadar, Sibgonj and Bholahat. Sixty-nine (69) farmers who were cultivated vermicompost commercially were selected using Convenience Sampling method from the farmers list (120) collected from the help of local Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) office. Data were collected by using an interview schedule during 20 January to 20 th February, 2020. Multiple linear regression was computed using SPSS (v.23). The vermicomposting farmers showed a remarkable individual difference in their characteristics. The highest proportion (95.65%) of the farmers had medium increase in income after vermicomposting whereas 4.35% of the farmers had highly increase in income. Production of vermicasts, media contact and attitude had positive significant relationship with BCR (Benefit Cost Ratio) and marketing facilities had a negative significant relationship with BCR while age, education, vermicomposting experience, vermicomposting area, income before vermicomposting, training, knowledge and increase in income after vermicomposting had no significant relationship with BCR. Income generation was the dependent variable for this study. All the factors cooperatively contribute 41.2% of the variance of BCR (R ix

2 = 0.412). Final result showed that most of the vermicomposting farmers belonged to medium production of vermicompost, medium to high media contacts, low to medium attitude towards vermicompost productions and low to medium marketing facilities. From the result, it may be recommended that if GOs and NGOs organize training program and method demonstration, easy availability of raw materials and marketing facilities, it may be more profitable for the vermicomposting farmers than now.