FARMERS’ USE GAP ON RECOMMENDED DOSE OF FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDE FARMERS’ USE GAP ON RECOMMENDED DOSE OF FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDE IN WHEAT CULTIVATION FARMERS’ USE GAP ON RECOMMENDED DOSE OF CULTIVATION

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the extent of use gap in use of fertilizers and pesticides in wheat production among the wheat growers of Thakurgaon district and to explore the contributing relationships between the selected characteristics of the wheat growers and their use gap in use of recommended dose of fertilizers and pesticides. The study was conducted at four villages of three unions in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila. Data were collected from 100 wheat growers by using a pre-tested interview schedule during the period from November 01 to December 01, 2021. The findings revealed that the highest proportion (49%) of the wheat growers had low use gap on fertilizer and pesticide use as compared to no use gap, medium use gap, and high use gap at the rate of 3%, 30%, and 18%, respectively. Among the nine selected characteristic, five variables, namely education, wheat cultivation experience, time spent in farming, use of information source and training duration were found to have a significant influence to the use gap in using recommended dose of fertilizers and pesticides at both 1% and 5% level of significance. The concerned authority should consider the significant variables in reducing farmers’ use gap on recommended dose of agrochemicals like fertilizer and pesticide.