OPINION LEADERSHIP OF IPM FARMERS IN DIFFUSION OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) IN TWO SELECTED UNIONS OF SAVAR UPAZILA UNDER DHAKA DISTRICT

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the extent of opinion leadership of the 1PM farmers in diffusion of 1PM and to explore the relationships between selected characteristics of the 1PM farmers with their opinion leadership in diffusion of 1PM. Pearson's Product Moment Correlation was used to explore relationships among variables. Ten villages of Ashitlia and Pathalia union of Savar UpaziUa under Dhaka District was the locale of the study. Data were collected from 120 1PM farmers by using interview schedule during IS June to 15 August, 2011. The findings revealed that more than three .fiftbs( 61.67% ) of the 1PM farmers had high extent of opinion leadership in diffusion of 1PM while 27.50% of the 1PM farmers had medium opinion leadership and 10.83 % having tow opinion leadership in diffusion of 1PM. 61.68% 1PM farmers were in young age, 49.17% farmers had secondary level education. Among 12 selected characteristics of the 1PM farmers- education, family, organizational participation, contact with extension agents, exposure to agricultural programs through farm radio talk and exposure to agricultural programs through TV channel had significant positive relationship with their opinion leadership in diffusion of 1PM. Age, experience and farm size had negative but significant relationship with their opinion leadership in diffusion of 1PM. On the other hand, exposure to agricultural programs through Printed media and attitude towards the use of 1PM had no significant relationships with their opinion leadership in diffusion of 1PM.