PEST MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS FACED BY POTATO FARMERS

Abstract

The objectives of the study is to determine the extent of pest management problems faced by the farmers in potato cultivation and to explore the contribution of the selected characteristics of the cultivators to the pest management problems. The study was conducted at Burail, Telabudul, Malipara, Mundail and Vashali villages of Khetlal upazila under Joupurhat district. Data were collected from 105 potato cultivators from 15 January, 2017 to 10 February, 2017. Descriptive statistics, stepwise multiple regression were used for analysis of the data. The highest (61.0%) percentage of potato cultivators belong to the group of medium pest management problems and the lowest (15.2 %) percentage in high problem during potato cultivation. Among the influential variables- time spent in potato farming alone contribute 77.3 % of the variation where level of education (5.4 %), amount of credit receipt (0.6 %), farm size (1.9 %) and extension contact (1.1 %) variation to the pest management problems faced by the farmers. It is concluded that most of the farmers faced pest management problems in potato cultivation which needs efficient intervention by different NGOs and Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) to ensure sustainable potato cultivation.