ADOPTION AND PROFITABILITY OF MAIZE PRODUCTION IN GANGACHARA UPAZILA UNDER RANGPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

Maize is a newly introduced cereal crop in Bangladesh. Growers are still in hesitation in adoption of this crop because of its production technique, processing and consumption as food. The main purpose of this study was to determine on Adoption and Profitability of Maize Production in the study area. The study was conducted in Gangachara upazila under Rangpur district. Data were collected from 80 respondent farmers selected following disproportionate random sampling technique. A pre-tested interview schedule was used in collection of data during July to August, 2022. Collected data were compiled, coded, analyzed and interpreted as per objectives of the study. Results indicate that 70 percent farmers were young and middleaged farmers where

38.75 percent illiterate and 80 percent belonged to Nuclear family size, 82.5 percent having small farm size, 46.25 percent high farming experience and 66.25 percent low extension contact. Adoption of maize variety score ranged from 5.38 to 99.95 percent with an average of 76 percent. Majority of the respondents (61.25%) had high adoption. Overall BCR of maize was found as 1.36 where Palwan, Bahuboli 555, Dalia 5455, Kabri 50 are different maize varieties included. Level of education and farm size of the respondent showed negative significant relationship with adoption of maize production while annual family income and organizational participation of the respondent showed positive relationship with adoption of maize production. Storage facility at farmers’ level due to high moisture content, availability of credit, difficulty in consumption as food due to lack of processing facility and poor technical information were the major problems faced by the maize growers. The respondents being living in the Char land demonstrated lower socio-economic conditions but adopted maize production comparatively high level and functional training may be arranged by the concerned authority.