DETERMINANTS OF VERTICAL CROP DIVERSIFICATION IN PERI URBAN AREA

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.