Abstract:
Vertical crop diversification (VCD) is an effective strategy for increasing income, achieving
livelihood security and enhancing sustainable crop production. The objective of the study was
to determine the extent of vertical crop diversification (VCD) in peri urban area’ and explore
the contribution of the selected characteristics of the vegetable and fruits growers and
producers on the extent of vertical crop diversification (VCD) in peri urban area, i.e. a
confluence of rural and urban areas. The selected characteristics were education, access to
financial institutions, market access, ICTs access, non-farming income, organizational
participation, training exposure, knowledge, risk in VCD, involvement of people in VCD and
technology use. Data were gathered from 120 vegetable growers of nine villages under three
Unions of Dinajpur Sadar Upazila under Dinajpur district by using a pre-tested interview
schedule during November to December 2017. For harmonious representation of the
respondents 20 percent vegetables/fruits growers were selected from each village as the
sample by using simple random sampling method. Multiple regression analysis was used to
estimate the contribution of the selected characteristics of the respondent on VCD. The
findings revealed that highest proportion (52.5 percent) of the respondent had medium extent
of VCD. Whereas 26.67 percent respondent had low extent and 20.83 percent respondent had
high extent in VCD. Regression analysis found that market access (.287), technology use
(.256), education (.216), and access to financial institutions (.204) were the main contributory
factors to increasing the extent of VCD. Growers and producers faced high to medium
problems in ‘lower price of vegetables’ followed by ‘high price of inputs’. The findings
recommended that improving market access and use modern technology can play a leading
role in enhancing the extent of VCD. Moreover, to increase the benefit of VCD, useful
initiatives on educating growers and producers, and improving their access to financial
institutions such bank, NGOs and private organizations are required.
Description:
A thesis
Submitted to the Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION & INFORMATION SYSTEM