PROBLEM CONFRONTATION BY THE FLOWER FARMERS IN ADOPTION OF FLOWER PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

The main objectives of the study were I) to determine the problem confrontation by the flower farmers in adoption of flower production technologies and ii) to explore the relationship between the selected characteristics of the farmers and their problem confrontation in adoption of flower production technologies. The study was conducted in two villages of Gadhkhali Union and Panisara Union each. Data were collected randomly from 100 flower farmers by using a pre-tested interview schedule during the period from May 22 to June 22, 2010. Findings of the study indicated that highest proportion (84 percent) of the flower farmers had both medium and high problem confrontation in adoption of flower production technologies, while 16 percent had low problem confrontation. The existed variation among eleven problem components as measured by using the Problem Confrontation Index (PCIs) ranged from 46-91.89 based on degree of problem confrontation. According to PCI, the components of problem confrontation were stated in descending order as disease controlling problem, insect controlling problem, marketing problems, insect infestation problem, disease infestation problem, incidental problems, general problems, flower processing problem and nutrition problem. The farmers had relatively low problem confrontation in selection of varieties and availability of quality planting materials. Correlation analyse indicated that among the ten selected independent variables flower cultivation knowledge, flower cultivation experience, farm size, training exposure, marketing facilities, income generation from flower cultivation, communication behavior, attitude towards flower cultivation and land under flower cultivation had significant but negative relationship with their problem confrontation while education had no significant relationship with their problem confrontation in adoption of flower production technologies.