PROBLEMS FACED BY THE FARMERS IN BETEL LEAF CULTIVATION

Abstract

The study examines the extent of problems faced by the farmers in betel leaf cultivation and shows the relationship of the selected characteristics of the farmers with their problems faced in betel leaf cultivation. Data were collected from 85 betel leaf farmers of Baliakandi, Goalanda, Pangsha, Kalukhali and Rajbari sadar upazila of Rajbari district during the period from January 25 to February 24, 2017. Descriptive statistics, Pearson‟s Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation (r) were used for data analysis. The highest proportion (55.3 percent) of the farmers faced medium problems where 23.5 percent farmers faced low and the 21.2 percent farmers faced high problems in betel leaf cultivation. Farmers‟ age, level of education, experience in betel leaf cultivation, Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR), knowledge on betel leaf cultivation had negative significant relationship with their problems faced in betel leaf cultivation. Farmers‟ family size, betel leaf cultivation area, annual income from betel leaf cultivation, practices in betel leaf cultivation, agricultural extension media contact and distance to market place had non-significant relationship with the problems faced by them in betel leaf cultivation. As per Problem Faced Index (PFI), infection of leaf rot disease ranked 1 and lack of credit facility in last position. Most of the farmers (89.4 percent) used Actara for insect-pest control, maximum (91.7 percent) used Amistartop for disease control and for quick growing, the highest (32.9 percent) farmers used Flora. It is concluded that most of the farmers faced problems in betel leaf cultivation which needs effective intervention by DAE and NGOs to ensure sustainable betel leaf cultivation.