CONSTRAINTS AND SCOPE FOR PRACTICING SANDBAR CROPPING TECHNOLOGY IN RIVERINE AREAS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The study was undertaken to assess the extent of constraints as faced by the farmers engaged in sandbar cropping technology, to explore the relationship of the demographic characteristics (independent variables) with constraints of sandbar cropping technology (dependent variable) and to find out the scope for practicing sandbar cropping technology. Constraints faced by the respondents of sandbar cropping technology were also cross-checked by Scored Causal Diagrams (SCDs). The independent variables were age, educational qualification, family size, annual family income, training received, knowledge on sandbar cropping, aspiration, fatalism, attitude towards PAB. The study was conducted in Gangachara upazila under Rangpur district. Ninety five (95) respondents were selected as sample from a recent list of 271 farmers using random sampling method. Data were collected by a pretested interview schedule during 1“ September to 15" October 2012. Besides the usual descriptive statistical parameter, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) was used for the statistical analysis. Among the total 24 constraints “low price during peak period of pumpkin” occupied the highest (CI= 239) scores and stand top in the ranking while “difficult to identify mature pumpkin” had the lowest (CI= 16) scores. Slightly more than three-fourth (75.8 percent) of the respondents had medium constraints, while 21.0 percent had low constraints and only 3.2, percent had high constraints of sandbar cropping technology. Scored Causal Diagrams (SCDs) explored that the main root causes to ‘low practicing sandbar cropping technology’ identified were low price during peak period of pumpkin, lack of training and education/awareness and land owner discourage to give the same land for 2™ year. Out of nine independent variables educational qualification, training received and knowledge on sandbar cropping of the respondents showed negative significant relationship with the constraints of sandbar cropping technology. Age and fatalism showed a positive significant relationship with the same. On the other hand, family size, annual family income, aspiration and attitude towards PAB of the respondents did not show any significant relationship with the constraints of sandbar cropping technology. Main scope for practicing sandbar cropping technology as mentioned by the respondents ‘production of different crops along with pumpkin’ followed by “food security’.