STUDY ON CLIMBER VEGETABLES AND THEIR AGRO- ECONOMIC PRODUCTIVITY IN HOMESTEAD AREA OF BARIND TRACT

Abstract

Barind tract of Bangladesh considered as an important area for vegetable production especially climber vegetables. However, there is still significant knowledge gap of regarding climber vegetable productivity status and their economic performance in Rajshahi division. To explore this importance a field survey was conducted and evaluate (i) the existing types of homestead vegetable production systems in Bangladesh (ii) the most prominent support system for climbing vegetable production and (iii) the influence of the climber types vegetable production on the agro-economic productivity of the homestead farmers. The majority of farmers in the research area grew climbing vegetables on trellis support systems (53.4%), followed by roof top support systems (35%) and tree support systems (11.7%) accross the barind tract. Most of the respondent farmers (60%) in Level Barind used the trellis support system for vegetable production. However, in the Terrace Barind, most of the respondent farmers (46.7%) used trellis support systems for vegetable production. The majority of respondents (43.3% and 50% in Level Barind and Terrace Barind, respectively) used and sold their products for personal consumption. Summer white gourd, ridge gourd, and winter bottle gourd, country bean were the most common climbing vegetables. Lack of knowledge about technology, proper cultural operations and variety selection were the major problems for vegetable production in the study areas. Thus, farmers who practice homestead vegetable gardening can boost their per capita income and save for the future.