INNOVATIVENESS OF BETEL LEAF GROWERS TO USE IMPROVED PRACTICES

Abstract

The major purpose of the study was to determine the extent of innovativeness of betel leaf growers to use improved practices for betel leaf cultivation in some selected areas of Rajshahi district. Attempts were also made to describe some of the selected characteristics of the betel leaf growers and their effect to innovativeness of using improved farm practices in betel leaf cultivation. One hundred and thirty three (133) growers were selected randomly from a total of 1127 growers of two unions of Bagmara upazila under Rajshahi district. An interview schedule was used for collection of data, which took 25 days from 5 July to 29 July, 2017. The findings of the study indicate that more than half (60.9 percent) of the growers were found moderately innovative compared to 39.1 percent were found highly innovative in practicing improved techniques for betel leaf cultivation. Pearson Product-moment Correlation Coefficient indicates that among the selected characteristics, farm size, farming experience, knowledge in betel leaf cultivation and attitude towards betel leaf cultivation showed positive significant relationship with their innovativeness to use improved practices. On the other hand, age, education, annual family income and agricultural training of the growers did not show any significant relationship with their innovativeness to use improved practices in betel leaf cultivation.