KNOWLEDGE GAP IN USE OF WHEAT PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AMONG THE WHEAT GROWERS OF RANCPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

Ihe main purpose of the study was to determine the extent of knowledge gap in use of wheat production technologies among the wheat growers of Rangpur District and to explore the relationships between the selected characteristics of the wheat growers and their knowledge gap in use of wheat production technologies. The study was conducted in three villages of Mominpur Union under Sadar Upazila and l.ohanipara Union tinder l3adarganj Upazita each. Data were collected from 107 wheat growers by using a pre-tested interview schedule during the period from May20 to June 20. 2009. The findings revealed that the highest proportion (54.2 percent) of the wheat growers had medium knowledge gap on wheat production technologies compared to 4 1.1 and 4.7 percent low knowledge gap and high knowledge gap respectively in use of wheat production technologies. Computed 'r' value depicts (hat six, out of twelve independent variables, namely wheat farm size, income from wheat cultivation. use of information sources, training exposure. motivation and attitude toward wheat cultivation had significant negative relationship with knowledge gap of wheat growers in use of wheat production technologies. Problem faced in wheat cultivation had significant positive relationship with knowledge gap of wheat growers in use of wheat production technologies. Other live variables, namely education, farm size, wheat cultivation experience, social participation and marketing of the wheat growers had no significant relationship with knowledge gap of wheat growers in use of wheat production technologies. About two-thirds (66.4 percent) of the wheat growers had low adoption of Modern Varieties (MVs) of wheat compared to 27.1 and 6.5 percent having medium adoplion and high adoption of MVs ot'whcat respectively. However, adoption of MVs has occurred across all wheat grower categories, with large-scale growers tending to replace MVs more quickly.