Thesis Environment

7/25/2019 Thesis Environment

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FARMERSAWARNESS ON ENVIRONMENT FOR

AGRICULTURAL FARMING PRACTICES IN SOME

SELECTED AREAS IN BOGRA DISTRICT

MS THESIS

NUSRAT TASNIM

Department of Environmental Science

Bangladesh Agricultural University

Mymensingh

December(2012)


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A THESIS

Submitted to

Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Science

in

Environmental Science

By

NUSRAT TASNIM

Roll No.: 11 Ag. ENVS JD 31M

Registration No.: 38369, Session: 2011-12

Department of Environmental Science

Bangladesh Agricultural University

Mymensingh

December(2012)


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A THESIS

Submitted to

Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Science

in

Environmental Science

By

NUSRAT TASNIM

Approved as to style and contents by

Dr. M. Jabed Ali MirzaSupervisor

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aslam AliCo-Supervisor

.

Prof. Dr. M. A. SattarChairman

Examination Committeeand

Head, Department of Environmental ScienceBangladesh Agricultural University

Mymensingh

D b (2012)


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iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author expresses her never ending gratefulness to Almighty Allah, the greatest,

the most gracious and the most merciful, who has created the universe and enabled

the author to carry out the research work and complete the study successfully.

The author expresses her heartiest respect, deepest sense of gratitude, sincere

appreciation and ever indebtedness to her reverend Supervisor rD. M. Jabed Ali

Mirza, Professor and Director, Graduate Training Institute, Bangladesh Agricultural

University (BAU), Mymensingh, for his valuable and scholastic guidance and

instruction extended throughout the study period and for the preparation of this thesis.

The author wishes to express her sincere appreciation and boundless gratitude to her

co-supervisor, Professor Dr.M

uhammad Aslam Ali, Department of EnvironmentalScience, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, for his immense help,

constant co-operation and invaluable suggestion for completion of this research work

and in the preparation of this thesis.

The author humbly desires to express her heartiest gratitude, profound respect and

high appreciation to Professor Dr. M. A.Sattar, Head, Department of Environmental

Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, for his important

suggestion, precious comments and encouragement throughout the study period.

The author wishes to express her deepest sense of respects to all off her teachers,

especially Professor Dr. M. A.Sattar, Professor Dr.Md.Abdul Baten, Department of

Environmental Science, Associate Professor Mr. AKMRafiqul Islam, GTI,

Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, for their valuable teaching,


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v

suggestion, sincere help and intellectual instructions during the study period.

Without the help and co-operation of the farmers of the study area, it could not be

possible to collect data for the study. The author expresses her sincere gratefulness

and heartfelt thanks to all of them.

The author is very glad to express her gratefulness and deepest appreciation to her

father Md.Nurul Islam, motherMst Marium Khatun, brothers and other relatives and

friends for their leasing, sacrifices, financial support and encouragement for this study

which can never be forgotten.

November, 2012 The Author


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vi

ABSTRACT

The study area encompasses five villages under kahaloo and shahazahanpur

upazila (sub-district) under Bogra district during August October, 2012 to

determine farmers awareness on environment for agricultural farming

practices in some selected areas in Bogra district . The selected characteristics

of the farmers namely age, education, occupation, family size, and farm size

constituted independent variables, while farmers awareness on environment

was the dependent variables of this study. A total of fiftyfarmers constituted

the sample for this study. The information was collected through personal

interview from the individual respondent at their home. About 66% of the

respondents fell in medium knowledge categories while 28% of the

respondents fell in the low knowledge categories and only 6% of the

respondents fell in the high knowledge categories. Only 8% farmers had high

awareness on soil organic matter depletion while 18% farmers had low

awareness, 10% farmers have medium awareness and most of the farmers

(64%)have noknowledge aboutsoil organic matter depletion.Environmental

awareness of the respondents were highly correlated with their age (r=0.73),

education (r=0.70) and farm size (r=0.84). The annual income of the surveyed

farmers was found to have moderate correlation (r=0.51) with the

environmental awareness. The relationships showed positive trend. These

findings imply that better education, more experience in term of attainment of

age, enhanced family income and farm size act as favorable factors to the

farmers to be more aware of the environmental issues.


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CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv

ABSTRACT vi

LIST OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES xi

LIST OF FIGURES xii

LIST OF APPENDICESxiii

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION1-4

CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 5-122.1 Related Literature 5

2.1.1 Reviews on General Context 5

2.2 Review of Past Studies Concerning

Relationship of the Selected Characteristics of

the Farmers

7

2.2.1 Age and Environmental Awareness 7

2.2.2 Education and Environmental Awareness 7

2.2.3 FamilyS

ize andE

nvironmentalA

wareness8

2.2.4 Farm Size and Environmental Awareness 8

2.2.5 Annual Income and Environmental Awareness 9

2.2.6 Use of Modern Agricultural Technologies and

Environmental Awareness9

2.2.7 Organizational Participation and

Environmental Awareness 9

2.2.8

Communication Exposure andEnvironmentalAwareness

10

2.2.9 Farmers Awareness and Assessment of Soil

Organic Matter Depletion

10

2.2.10 Farmers Knowledge on Environment 11


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CONTENTS (Contd.)

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY 13-20

3.1 The Location of the Study13

3.1.1 Site Description13

3.1.2 Socio Economic Environment15

3.1.3 Biological Environment15

3.2 Sampling Design of the Farmer15

3.3 Means of Data Collection 16

3.4 Procedure of Data Collection16

3.5 Measurement of Variables 17

3.5.1 Measurement of Independent Variable17

3.5.1.1 Age 17

3.5.1.2 Education17

3.5.1.3 Family Size17

3.5.1.4 Annual Income18

3.5.1.5 Farm Size 18

3.5.1.6 Organizational Participation 18

3.5.1.7 Communication Exposure19

3.5.2 Measurement of Dependent Variables 19

3.5.2.1 Description of Cropping System in the

Study Area

19

3.5.2.2 Agricultural Farming Practices 19

3.5.2.3 Cultivation Method 19

3.5.2.4 Use of Crop Residues 20

3.5.2.5 Environmental Awareness of the Farmer 20

3.6 Compilation of Data 20

3.7 Statistical Analysis20


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CONTENTS (Contd.)

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 21-35

4.1 Selected Characteristics of the Farmers 21

4.1.1 Age 21

4.1.2 Academic Qualifications 22

4.1.3 Family Size of the Farmers 23

4.1.4 Annual Income 23

4.1.5 Farm Size 234.1.6 Cropping Pattern in the Study Area 24

4.1.7 Field Crops, Vegetables, Fruits Grown in Bogra

District24

4.1.8 Methods of Cultivation in the Study Srea 27

4.1.9 Use of Modern Agricultural Technologies28

4.1.10 Use of Organic Manure by the Farmers in their

Farm Land

28

4.1.11 Application of Chemical Fertilizer29

4.1.12 Use ofchemical fertilizer and organic manure 29

4.1.13 Use of Crop Residues After Harvest

30

4.1.14 Processing and Preservation of Organic Waste 31

4.1.15 Farmers Awareness and Assessment of SoilOrganic Matter Depletion

32

4.1.16 Knowledge and Awareness on Environment

32

4.2 Relationship Between the Selected Characteristics

of the Farmers and Awareness on Environment

34


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CONTENTS (Contd.)

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 36-38

5.1 Findings of Summary36

5.2 Conclusions 37

5.3 Recommendations for Further Study 38

REFERENCES 39-44

APPENDICES

45-56


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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLE PAGE

4.1Distribution of the farmers selected characteristics

22

4.2 Distribution of Farm size of the farmer

24

4.3 Distribution of the respondents according to the cropping

pattern

24

4.4 Crops grown in Bogra District. 25

4.5 Methods of cultivation according to year 27

4.6 Use of Modern Agricultural Technologies 28

4.7 Distribution of the respondents according to their use of

organic manure

29

4.8 Amount of chemical fertilizer (kgha-1) application in

different crops in the study area

29


chemical and organic manure30

4.10 Distribution of the respondents according to their

knowledge about soil organic matter depletion

32

4.11Distribution of the respondents according to their

knowledge and awareness on environment33

4.12 The meaning of correlations coefficient 'r' 34

4.13 Correlation co efficient of selected characteristics of the

respondents with their environmental awareness

35


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LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURES TITLE PAGE

3.1 A map of Bogra district showing the Kahaloo and

Shajahanpur Upazilla of the study area

14


crop residues

31

4.2 Distribution of respondents according to processing and

preservation of organic waste in relation to year

32


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LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX TITLE PAGE

1 English version of the interview schedule 45


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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1

General Background

In recent years increasing agricultural production is an important environmental issue in

Bangladesh. About 75 percent of the people living in rural areas who are directly or

indirectly involved in agriculture. The farmers of the country are the centre point of

agriculture.

Agriculture imposes external costs upon society through pesticides, nutrient runoff,

excessive water usage, and other assorted inputs. In 2010, theInternational Resource Panel

of theUnited Nations Environment Programpublished a report assessing the environmental

impacts of consumption and production of agricultural commodities. The study found that

agriculture and food consumption are two of the most important drivers of environmental

pressures, particularly habitat change, climate change, water use and toxic

emissions.Agriculture accounts for 70 percent of withdrawals of freshwater resources.The

improved agricultural practices have tremendous relevance toenvironmental pollution and

Bangladesh is not an exception to this (Sattar, 1994).

Irrigation water is one of the vital and costly inputs in agriculture. The present irrigated area

of Bangladesh is about 29% of the total cultivated area, 43% receive surface water

irrigation and 57% utilize ground water. In general Bangladesh faces a problem of excess

water during the wet season, while water is in short supply during the dry season. Over the

years, the dry season demanded for irrigation water has increased considerably. Such

increasing demands adversely affected inland fisheries (Shahabuddin et al., 1992).

On the other hand, scarcity of water during the dry season is a major contributor to the

desertification process. It is a serious environmental pollution problem in Bangladesh.

There are indications that in many areas of the country, increasing rate of incidence of water

born diseases like diarrhoea and dysentery is related to a lowered water table (Shabuddin et

al.,1992).

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides have been widely and extensively used in Bangladesh
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soil productivity and a steady declining trend in crop productivity associated mainly with

loss of inherent soil fertility. Excessive uses of chemical fertilizers also reduce water

conservation capacity of soil. Annual depletion of nutrient (NPKS) under intensive

cultivation ranges between 180-250 kg/ha. The organic matter of more than 50% of

cultivated soils in Bangladesh is said to be below the critical level of 1.5% and still

declining at an alarming rate (Karim et al., 1997).

Large quantities of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are being used in this country and

their annual use is steadily increasing. Chemical fertilizers contribute to global warming by

emitting nitrous oxide, one of the green house gases, in the atmosphere. Global warming

potential of this gas is 180 to 300 times with nitrogen fertilizer application accounting for

one fifth of the volume.

The devastating ecological imbalance is also caused due to indiscriminate use of pesticides.

Pesticides pollute the environment and its exposure creates serious hazards to human being,

animals, fishes and other organisms of the ecosystem. The high level of pesticides leached

to the water sources have also been blamed for causing regular outbreaks of epidemic

diseases in fishes and it is said to have decimated the fish population in certain areas

(Ziauddin, 1991)

Bhuiyan and Harman (1991) reported that use of agricultural technology has made a

significant contribution to the increased food grain production in Bangladesh. But the

indiscriminate use of agricultural technology in certain areas like ground water, pesticides,

shrimp farming, etc. also caused tremendous environmental hazards particularly in the

reduction of fish production, accelerating animal health hazards, large scale killing of

beneficial insects and the allied biological organisms that make an imbalance in the natural

orders of both flora and fauna.

Therefore, it is clear that large scale use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water by the

farmers for a long period as well as non judicious use have been damaging the natural

resources such as land, fishes, beneficial insects, soil microbe, etc. Agriculture and

environment has a close relationship and interacts with each other in such a way that the

health of agriculture depends on the proper functioning of environmental process and the

health of environment depends upon a respectful agriculture (Conway, 1990).


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Lack of environmental education and awareness programs training and motivation activities;

rural people used cowdung, homestead waste, crops and vegetables wastes as fuel instead of

managing the crop field which lead to vulnerable soil erosion, nutrient depletion, or other

natural hazards like air and water pollution. In this case the farmers need training and

motivation about production and judicious processing, preservation, and utilization of

organic waste from various sources for sustainable livelihood (Khatun, 2004).

So, it is

necessary to increase environmental awareness of the farmers about susstainable system.

Sustainable system is a management strategy which helps the producer to choose hybrids

and varieties, a soil fertility package, a pest management approach, a tillage systems, and a

crop rotation to reduce costs of purchased inputs, minimize the impact of the system on the

immediate and the off-farm environment, and provide a sustained level of production and

project from farming (Francis et al.,1987).

The extent of awareness may vary from one farmer to another farmer due to influence of

various factors. Because, behaviour of an individual is greatly influenced by the totality of

one's characteristics. It is therefore, very important to know the relative awareness of the

farmers about environmental degradation in agricultural farming practices.

In view of the foregoing discussion, the researcher undertook a study entitled Farmers

Awarenss on Environment for Agricultural Farming Practices in Some Selected Areas in

Bogra District

1.2 Specific Objectives of the Study

The following specific objectives were formulated.

1) To determine the awareness of the farmers on environmental degradation.

2)

To identify commonly used agriciltural farming practices and environmental

condition in the farming enterprisesin Bogra district.

3) To determine the exising socio-economic status of the farmer in Bogra district.

4) To explore the co-relation between the selected characteristics of the farmers on

agricultural farmingpractices.


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CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

This study mainly concerned with agricultural farming practices and awareness of farmerson environmental degradation.The subject of awareness of farmers on environmental

degradation has wide potentialities for scientific enquiry. The researcher made an elaborate

search of available literature for this purpose. The researcher attempted to study the

relationships of the five selected characteristics of farmers related with their environmental

awareness. The researcher attempted to study the relationship of the each of the selected

characteristics with environmental awareness related to environment degradation. However,

a review of literature on the relationship of each independent variable with environmental

awareness and related issues are presented in this section according to the objectives of the

study.

2.1 Related Literature

2.1.1 Reviews on General Context

Now-a-days environmental problem is a threatening concern throughout the world because

of global environment is changing rapidly. As environment involves the surroundings,where

we live and in which a range of development activities are performed for our private and

public life, these two can not be separated from one another.Thus, environmental issues are

directly related with the existing conditions of human life, their options in the use of

material resources and sharing the same with others. It is an interlinked and inter-locked

system mostly directed to ensure a balance between the different components. However,

some important observations and comments of some scholars are presented in this section

related with environmental issues.

Hamid (1997) made a survey to determine the awareness of farmers on environment. He

found that age of the farmers had negative relationship with the awareness on

environmental pollution.

Parveen (1995) in her study on awareness of farm women on environmental degradation

due to use of some selected modern agricultural technologies found that 65 percent of the

farm women had poor awareness, while 29 percent had medium and 6 percent had high

awareness on environmental degradation. An investigation by the United Nations Food and


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Agriculture Organization (FAO) on the Current status of land productivity in Bangladesh

revealed that there is a general trend towards declining or stagnating crop yields. These

adverse trends are considered to be the result of intensive cropping through indiscriminate

use of fertilizers, pesticides, continued use of irrigation water, total removal of biomass

from the agricultural fields and some other activities those have generated new set of

problems such as soil erosion, loss of soil fertility, deficiencies in sulphur and zinc etc

(Report of the Task Forces, 1991).

Roy (2004) conducted a survey on the environmental knowledge of the farmers on the use

of modern agricultural technologies. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the

farmers (68%) had medium environmental knowledge, while 12 percent had poor

environmental knowledge and only 20 percent had high environmental knowledge.

Miah and Rahman (1995) measured the awareness of farmers regarding their farming

environment

to identity the reasons responsible for its degradation. They found insignificant

relationship between age of the farmers and awareness regarding farm environment.

Sattar ( 1994) listed many problems, adverse effect or hazardous action of fertilizers in soils,

crops, human health, air, water and other environments and some of the major problems are

included here:

1)

Decrease the organic matter and iodine content in soils, make soils harder, more

acidic or alkaline,

2) Create some diseases to certain fish species,

3)

Decrease soil organisms, earth worms or other organisms in soils,

4) Pollute the surface as well as ground water, etc.

5)

Changes the test and quality of some fruits, vegetables and other crops.

2.2 Review of Past Studies Concerning Relationship of the Selected Characteristics of

the Farmers

2.2.1 Age and Awareness

Sutradhar (2002) revealed that the age of the respondents had no relationship with their

awareness on environmental degradation.

Hanif (2000) found a positive significant relationship between age of the respondents and

their awareness on environmental pollution in case of farmer field school farmers(FFS).


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Also found that there was a negative insignificant relationship between age of the farmers

and their awareness on environmental pollution.

Islam (2002) conducted a survey to determine the awareness of farmers on environmental

issues and noted a negative correlation with the awareness on environmental pollution.

Hamid (1997) made a survey to determine the awareness of farmers on environment. He

found that age of the farmers had negative relationship with the awareness on

environmental pollution.

2.2.2. Education and Awareness

Hanif (2000) noted a positive significant relationship between education of the respondents

and their awareness on environmental pollution.

Hossain (1999) found that education of the farmers had significant positive relationship

with the awareness on environmental degradation.

Miah and Rahman (1995) found that the level of education of the farmers had positive

significant relationship with the awareness on farming environment.

Khan (1983) found that the rural women's educational level had a positive relationship with

their participation in community activities and income generating project in Bangladesh.

2.2.3 Family Size and EnvironmentalAwareness

Hanif (2000)

in his study found that there was a positive insignificant relationship between

family size of the respondents and their awareness on environmental pollution.

Miah and Rahman (1995) found that family size of the farmers and awareness regarding

farming environment were not significant.

Akanda (1984) showed that family size of the rural women had a significant positive

relationship with the cultivation of fruit trees.

Rathore and Shaktawat (1990) found that the knowledge about improved agricultural

practices of Bajra cultivation by farm women was found to be significantly associated with


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Yasmin (1987) showed that family size of the poultry farmers had significant positive

relationship with their knowledge on poultry production.

Halim and Carthy (1983) stated that the different types of economic activities like post

harvest, vegetable gardening, livestock care, etc are performed by women labours and their

rate of involvement depends on family structure.

2.2.4 Farm Size and EnvironmentalAwareness

Sutradhar (2002) found that farm size of the respondents had a significant positive

relationship with their awareness on environmental degradation.

According to Aurangozeb (2002) farm size of the respondents has no relationship with their

adoption of integrated homestead farming technologies.

Sardar (2002) conducted a study on adoption of integrated pest management practices by

the farmers under PETRA Project of RDRS. He found that farm size of the farmers had a

positive significant relationship with their adoption of IPM practices.

Parveen (1995) reported that the homestead of the farm women had a positive significant

relationship with their knowledge on use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water.

Miah and Rahman (1994) revealed that farm size of the farmers and awareness regarding

farming environment were not significant.

2.2.5 Annual Income and EnvironmentalAwareness

Hamid (1997) found the annual income of the farmer had significant relationship with the

awareness on environmental pollution in case of less progress village but it was significant

in case of progressive village.

2.2.6 Use of Modern Agricultural Technologies and EnvironmentalAwareness

Hanif (2000) found that there was significant positive relationship between

agricultural knowledge of the respondents with their awareness on environmental

pollution.


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Sarkar (2006) found that the knowledge on the use of agro-chemicals had a

significant positive relationship with their perception on environmental degradation.

Islam et al. (1998) found that agricultural knowledge had a significant relationship

with awareness which implies that a person having more agricultural knowledge is

more aware about the environment.

Jamal (1996) in his study found that the agricultural knowledge of the drop out rural

youth had significant positive relationship with their preference of agricultural and

non-agricultural activities.

2.2.7 Organizational Participation and EnvironmentalAwareness

Hanif (2000) found that there was a insignificant relationship between organizational

participation of the respondent and their awareness on environmental pollution in case of

FTS farmers.

Sarkar (1999) found that the organizational participation of the farmers had

significant positive relationship with their perception on environmental degradation.

Hamid (1997) observed a positive relationship between, awareness of the farmers

and their organizational participation in case of less progressive village, and found no

relation in case of progressive village.

Khan (1993) found that organizational participation of the farmers had positive

relationship with their adoption of insecticides.

2.2.8 Communication Exposure andEnvironmental Awareness

Farhad (2003) showed that contact with extension media of the respondents had

significant positive relationship with their knowledge in using IPM in vegetable

cultivation.

Pal (1995) found in his study that the extension contact of the farmers had a

significant positive relationship with their adoption of sugarcane cultivation practices.


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A survey was conducted at the farmer awareness and assessment of environmental

degradation by Enters (1998) and Scherr (1999) who concluded that farmers become

aware when degradation processes affecting their own livelihoods. When degradation

effects were not observable to farmers without modern technology, it causes soil

acidification, micro-nutrient depletion, spread of disease vector etc. Technical

change in agriculture and natural resource management was essential if rural

livelihoods were improvedto protectresources.

Enters (1998) showed that, farmersadopted resourceconserving practices because

they contribute to increased productivity or output stability. He also stated that,

farmers unwillingness introduced to conservation practices due to technical

ineffectiveness andfarmers conditions of poor economic returns as evaluated from

the farmer perspective (Scherr, 1999).

2.2.10 Farmers Knowledge on Environment

Islam and Amin (2009) were made an attempt to explore the relationships of ten (10)

independent variables with the farmers' knowledge on environment. The findings

revealed that majority (52 %) of the farmers had medium knowledge on environment

compared to 19 percent having high knowledge on environment and only 29 percent

having low knowledge on environment on the use of modern agricultural

technologies. Rank order of use of modem agricultural technologies by the farmers

revealed that use of organic fertilizers; chemical fertilizers and modem variety of

field crops remain 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Rokonuzzaman and Hague (2006) conducted an experiment on farmers' perception of

sustainable agriculture in terms of two dimensions, namely, farm profitability and

environmental stewardship. The study was conducted in six unions of Matlab

Upazila in Chandpur district, Bangladesh. Out of twelve selected characteristics of

the farmers, age was negatively correlated with their perception of sustainable

agriculture, while level of education, farm size, annual family income, training

exposure, knowledge of environment-friendly farming, farming experience,

experience on environment-friendly farming practice, extension media exposure,

cosmopoliteness, and organizational participation were positively correlated with

their perception of sustainable agriculture. Only one variable, i.e. family size had no

significant relationship with perception of sustainable agriculture. Islam (2002) noted


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farmers and their perception of the harmful effects of agrochemicals.An investigation

by FAO (Report of the Task Force, 1991) indicated that crop yields in Bangladesh is

declining or stagnating owing to environmental degradation. These adverse trends are

considered to be the result of intensive cropping through indiscriminate use of

fertilizers, pesticides, and continued use of irrigation water. Total removal of biomass

from the agricultural fields and some other activities those have generated new set of

problems such as, soil erosion, loss of soil fertility, deficiencies in sulphur and zinc

etc.


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CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

In any scientific research, methodology plays an important role. It deserves a very careful

consideration for conducting theresearch. The basic materials for conducting the research are

the unbiased information and facts. The reliability of a scientific research depends on the

proper and appropriate methodology for such research. Job of a researcher is to collect

relevant information and facts, analyze them properly and draw conclusion objectively or on

the basis of unbiased analysis. Keeping this point in view, the researcher took utmost care forusing proper methods in all aspects of this piece of research work. The methods and

procedures followed in conducting this study have been described in this chapter.

3.1 The Location of the Study

3.1.1 Site Description

Two upazila were selected randomely from twelve upazila of Bogra district based on random

selection. These area was selected purposively for the study keeping the point in mind the

awareness of the farmer. Study area selected at Shahjahanpur and Kahaloo upazila in Bogra

district. The study area encompasses five villages under kahaloo and shahazahanpur upazila

(sub-district) under Bogra district. The names of the villages are Rustam Chapor, Indukhur,

Eruil, Mathail Chapor and Sabrul.

The upazila of Shahjahanpur is located in the southern part of Bogra district. The upazila is

bounded on the north by Bogra Sadar upazila, on the south by Sherpur upazila, on the east by

Gabtali and Dhunat upazila and on the west by Nandigram upazila. Kahaloo upazila (bogra

district) with an area of 238.79 sq km, is bounded byShibganj andBogra sadar upazilas on

the north, Nandigram on the south, Bogra sadar on the east, Adamdighi and Dupchanchia

upazilas on the west.
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Fig 2:A map of Bogra district showing the Kahaloo and Shajahanpur upazila of the study

area.

3.1.2 Socio-economic Environment

Kahaloo Upazila under Bogra district with an area of 238.79 sq km. Main river is Nagar;

marshy land 1556.17 hectares. Kahaloo has a population of 183230; male 50.31%, female

Kahaloo

Sha ahan ur
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49.29%. Kahaloo has an average literacy rate of 27.3% which is below the national average

of 32.4% literacy.

Shajahanpur is a locality ofBogra District inBangladesh. It is situated on the bank of the

Karotoya river. The upazila of Shahjahanpur is located in the southern part of Bogra district.

Chopinagar is the name of one important village in Shajahanpur. Total area is 221.58 square

kilometer. Total population stands at 2,47,819; male population50.83% : female

population49.17% and density of population1118 persons / km.

3.1.3 Biological Environment

Main crops in the study areas are predominately paddy, jute, potato, chilli. Minor crops are

wheat,Tobacco,Cotton and some vegetables like potato, tomato,bottlegourd etc. The most

common tree species found in this upazila are jackfruits Mango, black berry, date, palm,

banana. Pest and weed infestation sometimes hamper the crop of the villages. The farmers of

the villages raise cattle, goat, ram and poultry.

3.2 Sampling Design

The rural farmer (usually head of the farm) constituted the population for this study. The data

for this study was collected from 50 randomly selected respondents who were directly

involved in farming system from three villages under kahaloo and Shajahanpurupazila . The

respondents were the bonafide dwellers of Rustam Chapor, Indukhur, Eruil, Mathail Chapor

and Sabrul.Out of each village 10 farmers were selected. Thus, a total of 50 farmers

constituted the sample for this study. A reserve list of 9 respondents in the village was also

made,so that,the respondents of this list could be used if any respondents from the original

sample would not be available at the time of interview.

3.3 Means of Data Collection

In order to collect relevant information from the respondents, an interview schedule was

used. The schedule was carefully designed keeping the objectives of the study in view.

The schedule contained both open, closed and multiple choice questions. Most easy,

simple, direct questions and different scales were used to obtain the information. Direct

questions were used to obtain information, like age, education, family size, farm size and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogra_Districthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karotoahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chopinagar&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chopinagar&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karotoahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladeshhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogra_District


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annual income, agricultural farming practices. The interview schedule was prepared in

Bengali for easy understanding and for the collection of data but given in the thesis in English

(Appendix 1). This helped the respondents to understand the interview schedule easily and

furnish the required information easily and systematically. The draft interview schedule was

pre-tested with five farmers before finally using for data collection. The pre-test facilitated

the researcher to examine the suitability of various questions in the interview schedule. The

interview schedule was finalized after necessary correction, alterations and additions. The

interview schedule was then printed in its final form and multiplied for collection of data.

3.4 Procedure of Data Collection

The researcher collected information through personal interview from the individual

respondent at their home. An introductory visit was made to the study area to become

familiar with the respondent and their environment. During visit the objectives of the study

were explained clearly to most of the respondents. This helped the researcher to have a

friendly orientation with the farmers. The researcher also established desired rapport with

respondents. Questions were asked systematically and explanations were made whenever it

was felt necessary. The information supplied by the respondents was recorded directly on the

interview schedule. The information was checked carefully before leaving the study area in

order to minimize errors. Data were collected in local unit. These were subsequently

converted into appropriate standard units.

The respondents were interviewed at their own house in leisure time so that they could give

accurate information in a sound mind. No serious problem was faced by the respondents

during data collection. Excellent cooperation was received from all respondents during

collection of data. The data were collected from 50 respondents from August 25 to October

25, 2012.

3.5 Measurement of Variables

A variable is any characteristics which can assume varying or different values in successive

individual cases (Ezekiel and Fox, 1959). An organized piece of research usually contains at

least two important elements viz. an independent and a dependent variable. An independent

variable is that factor which is manipulated by the researcher in his attempt to ascertain its

relationship to an observed phenomenon. A dependent variable is that factor which appears,


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disappears or varies as the researcher introduces, removes or varies the dependent variables

(Townsend, 1953).

3.5.1 Measurement of Independent Variables

In this study selected individual characteristics of the farmers were considered as independent

variables, which are as follows:

3.5.1.1 Age

Age of a farmer referred to the period of time from his birth to the time of interview. It was

measured in complete year on the basis of his response to item number 1 of the interview

schedule (Appendix 1).

3.5.1.2 Education

Educational level of a respondent was measured by the completed formal education from

educational institutions. The level of education score of a respondent was determined from

his response to item number 3 of the interview schedule.

3.5.1.3 Family Size

Family size was measured by the number of family members of the respondent farmer

including himself, his wife, children and other dependents (fully or partially) on respondent's

income.

3.5.1.4 Annual Income

The annual family income of a farmer is an important indicator of how much he can invest in

his farming business. Usually, the person who has more income can invest more in farming

and he/she needs more information. Annual family income of a respondent was measured (in

Taka) on the basis of total yearly earnings from the farm and other sources in which the

respondent as well as his family members were involved. Data obtained in response to item

No. 5 of the interview schedule were used to determine the income of the respondent.

3.5.1.5 Farm Size

Farm land is the most important capital of a farmer and the farm size has influence on many

personal characteristics of a farmer. Farm size of the farmer was measured by the land area

possessed by him. Data obtained in response to questions under item No. 6 of the interview


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schedule formed the basis for determining the farm size of the respondent. Here, farm size

was computed using the following formula:

Farm size = A1 +A2+A3+ (A4+A5) l/2+A6+A7

A1 = Homestead Area

A2 = Own land under own cultivation

A3 = Taken lease from others

A,4 = Taken borga from others

A5 = Given to others as borga

A6 =Pond

A7 = Fellow land

The respondent has given information for their farm size in local measurement. Finally, it

was converted to hectare and was considered as the farm size score of a respondent.

3.5.1.6 Organizational Participation

Organizational participation is defined as the respondents taking part in the listed

organizations in sharing ideas, views, and experiences to make decision with other members

as a member or president/secretary. Organizational participation of a respondent was

measured on the basis of nature and extent of involvement in an organization which shown in

item number. 11 of the interview schedule.

3.5.1.7 Communication Exposure

Communication exposure is referred to the exposure or contact of the farmers with some

selected information sources and personalities. The communication exposure of a respondent

was measured on the basis of extent of contact with the selected information sources within a

given duration for getting required information. There are three levels of communication

exposure personal contact, group contactand mass media. Communication exposure score =

individual media contact score + group media contact score + Mass media contact score

3.5.2 Measurement of DependentVariable

Agicultural farming practices and environmental awarness of farmers were considered as

dependent variables. The measurement procedures of dependent variables are described

below:

3.5.2.1 Description of Cropping System in the Study Area


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The cropping system of a respondent was measured by the number of crop cultivated in a

year. For example if a farmer cultivates one crop in a year, he followed single cropping and if

a farmer cultivates more than two crops in a year, he followed multiple cropping. Questions

of this purpose were shown in the item number 7 of the interview schedule.

3.5.2.2 Agricultural Farming Practices

Agricultul practices is measured by five different categories such as field crops,fish and

domestic animal,variety of fruits,vegetables etc are measured in total production kg/decimal.

3.5.2.3 Cultivation Method

It referred to the preparation of land by the farmer. Questions of this purpose were shown in

the item number10 of the interview schedule.

3.5.2.4 Use of Crop Residues

Left over parts of various crops after harvest are called crop residues. Use of crop residues of

farmers in the study area were measured by their used of top residues as a source of organic

matter, as fuel and also as fodder. Question of this purpose were shown in the item number

15 of the interview schedule.

3.5.2.5 Environmental Awarness

It was measured by using sixteen questions in closed form, which could be answered only by

checking multiple-choice question. Any respondent answering a question correctly could

obtain a full score of 1 and for each wrong answer he could obtain a score of zero. Thus the

awareness score of a respondent could range from 0 to 15.

3.6 Compilation of Data

After completion of field survey all the interview schedules were compiled. Local units

were converted into standard unit. Appropriate scoring technique was followed to

convert the qualitative data into quantitative forms. The responses of the individual

respondent contained in the interview schedules were transferred to a master sheet for

entering the data in the computer. As soon as the data entered into the computer, it was

then analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study.

3.7 Statistical Analysis


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Statistical measures such as number, percentage, minimum-maximum, rank order, mean and

standard deviation were used in describing the independent and dependent variables of the

study, For clarity of understanding, the tables were also used for presenting the data. For

exploring the relationships between the selected characteristics of the respondents and their

environmental knowledge, Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient (r) was

computed. Five percent (0.05) level of significance was used to accept or reject any null

hypothesis.


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CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In this chapter, the findings of the study and their logical interpretations have been

presented according to the objectives of the study. This section deals with the selected

characteristics of the farmers, methods of cultivation, cropping pattern, sources of organic

manure, use of chemical fertilizer,

farmer's awareness on environmental issues i.e.,

environmental awareness.

4.1 Selected Characteristics of the Farmers

There are many interrelated and constituent attributes that characterize an individual and

form an integral part on the development of one's behavior and personality. It was, therefore,

assumed that awareness on environmental degradation will be influenced by their various

characteristics. Five characteristics of the farmers were selected to find out their relationship

with knowledge and awareness on environment. The selected characteristics included age,

education, farm size, family size, type of cultivated land. These characteristics of the

respondents have been described in this section.

4.1.1 Age

Age of the respondent was found to range from 18 to 70 years. On the basis of the age, the

respondents were classified into three categories: young age (18-30 years), middle age (31-

50 years) and old age (50-65 years) are shown in table 4.1.The average age was 37.2 years

with the standard deviation of 6.1. Based on their age the farmers were classified into three

categories as shown in Table 4.1. Data furnished in table 4.1 indicate that the higher

proportion (58%) of the respondent fell into the middle age, while 32% belonged to young

and 10% in old age categories, respectively. This indicates that decision making relating to

farm affairs in the study area would have considerable influence by the young to middle

aged farmers. The, farming practices and awarness need to give emphasis on this category

of the farmers. By creating proper consciousness about the effect of organic manure and

chemical fertilizer among the middle aged group followed by younger and old aged group,

it may help to use organic manure and chemical fertilizer judiciously, that will contribute to

maintain ecological balance and pollution free environment.


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Table 4.1: Distribution of the farmers according to their selected characteristics

Characteristics of the farmer No on respodents(N=50)

Number Percentage (%)

Dstribution

of Farmers

Age (years)

Young(18-30) 16 32

Middle age(31-50) 29 58

Old(51-65) 5 10

Total 50 100

Educational

Background

Illiterate(0) 0 0

Can sign only(1) 2 4

Below S.S.C(5) 30 60

After S.S.C (10) 13 26

Higher educated(12) 5 10

Total 50 100

Family Size

of the

Farmer

Small(2-4) 9 18

Medium(5-6) 23 46

Large(6-14) 18 36

Total 50 100

Annual

Income

Vrey low (40,000-60,000) 6 12

Low (60,001-80,000) 8 16

Medium (80,001-1,00,000) 12 24

High (1,00,001-1,50,000) 10 20

Very high (1,50,001-2,00,000) 4 8

Total 50 100

4.1.2 Academic Qualifications

The academic qualification scores of the respondents were found to range from 0-12. On

the basis of observed data the respondents were classified into four categories. The

categories and distribution of the respondents are shown in table 4.1. Data presented in

table 4.1 indicated that most of the farmers (60%) fall in the primary level category, 4

percent of them can sign only and about 10% of the farmers had higher secondary

qualification.


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4.1.3 Family Size

The family size of the respondents ranged from 2 to 14. Based on the family size score, the

respondents were classified into three categories. The categories and distribution of the

respondents are furnished in table 4.1.Data computed in table 4.1 show that most (46%) of

the farmers had medium family compared to 36% belonged to large family and only 18%

of the farmers had small family.

4.1.4 Annual Income

The categories and distribution of farmers according to annual income are shown in table

4.1, Annual income of the respondents ranged from Taka 40,000 to Taka 2,00,000. Data

presented in table 4.1 indicate that 12% of the farmers had very low income, 16% of the

farmers had low income, 24% had medium income, only 20% of them belonged to high-

income category and 8% of them are very high income category. From the data discussed

earlier, it was evident that the large majority of the rural families are having small to

medium farm, have more family members and at the same time have low income. These

situations may lead themselves to keep away from new information regarding their farm

practices. High income farmers are generally respected individuals in their society. They

are the men who usually informed first any message relating to their daily working life.

4.1.5 Farm Size

The farm size of the respondents varied from 10 decimal to above 500 decimal. The

respondents were classified into three categories on the basis of their farm holdings. The

categories and distribution of farmers are shown in table 4.2. Data presented in table 4.2

show that 14% of the farmers in the study area had small farm 18% of the farmers in the

study area had small farm holding, 28% had medium farm size and 40% of them had large

farm size.

Table 4.2:Distribution of respondents according to farm sizes in the study areas

Farm size Farmers (N=60) Mean Standard

DeviationNumber Percent

Very small (10-50 decimal) 7 14

1.29 0.70

Small (51-250 decimal) 9 18

Medium (251-500 decimal) 14 28

Large (above 500 decimal) 20 40

Total 50 100


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4.1.6 Cropping Pattern in the Study Area

Cropping pattern is an important component to increase agricultural production.

Distribution of the farmers according to the cropping pattern is presented in table 4.3.

Table 4.3 Distribution of the respondents according to the cropping pattern

Cropping

pattern

2011 2010 2009

No. of

farmer

Percentage

(%)

No. of

farmer

Percentage

(%)

No. of

farmer

Percentage

(%)

Single

crop 5 10 7 14 13 26

Double

crop 21 42 23 46 18 36

Multiple

crop 24 48 20 40 19 38

Data presented in the table 4.3 shows that most of the farmers (46%) fell in the double

cropping system while 40% fell in the double cropping pattern and 14% fell in the single

cropping patterns in recent years. From the year of 2009 to 2011 multiple cropping and

double cropping was increased while single cropping was decreased.

4.1.7 Fieldcrops, Vegetables, Fruits Grown in the Study Areas

The field crops and vegetables grown in of Kahaloo and Shajahanpur upazila at different

locations (homestead and fields). The crops and vegetables were found to be grown mainly

for own consumption of the farmers. Twenty four species belonging to 11 families of crops

and vegetables were grown by the respondents. In this area rice cultivation was the main

activity but vegetables were also grown in abundant. Potato appeared as an important

vegetable crop in the study area. Besides these, jute, potato, and chilli are also grown.

Main fruits are represented by mango, black berry, date, palm, and banana. Other than

crops,aqua-farming particularly fish hatechery and nursery, poultry hatchery, dairy, broiler

rising are income generating activities of the respondents. Most common cultivated crops

are listed in table 4.4.

Table 4.4: (a)Crops grown in the study areas

Name of the field crops Common name Scientific name

Cereal crops Rice Dhan Oryza sativa


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Wheat Gam Triticum aestivum

Maize Vutta Zea mays

Fopxail millet Cawn Setaia italica

Pulse crops Lentil Masur Lens esculentaGram Sola Cicer arietinum

Mung bean Mug Vinga radiata

Black gram Mascolai Vinga mungo

Grass pea Khesari Lathirus sativus

Fibre crops Jute Pat Corchorus

capsularis

Cotton Tula Gosspium hisrutum

Sugercane Akh Saccharum officinarum

Spices crops

Chilli Morich Capsicum frutescence

Onion Piaj Allied ceps

Garlic Rosun Allied sativum

Termaric Holud Tamarindus indica

Zinger Ada Zingiber officinale

Oil crops Musterd Sorisa Brassica napus

Sesame Til Sesamum indicum

Linseed Teshi Linum usitatissimum

(b) Vegetables

Name of the vegetables Common name Scientific name

Summer

Vegetables

Bottle gourd Lau Langenaria siceraria

Snake gourd Chichinga Trichosanthes anguina

Winter

vegetables

Potato Alu Solanum

tuberosum

Cauliflower Fulcopi Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis

Cabbage Badhacopi Brassica oleracea var. Capitala

Tomato Tomato Lycopersicon

esculentum

Year-

roundVeget

ables

Brinjal Begun Solanum

melongena

Papaya Papaya Carica papaya

Potato Alu Solanumtuberosum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarindus_indicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarindus_indicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carica_papayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carica_papayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carica_papayahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarindus_indica


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(c) Variety of Fruits

Name of the Fruits Common name Scientific name

Mango Aim Mangifera indica

Banana Kola Musa pradisiaca

litchi Lichu Litchi chinensis

Jackfruit Kathal Artocarpus heterophyllus

Cocoanut Naricel Cocos nucifera

Pineapple Anaros Anan ascomosus

Custard-apple Ata Annon areticulata

d) Fish Farming

Name of the Fish Common name Scientific name

Rui Rui Labeo rohita

Katla Catla Catla catla

Mrigel Mrigel Cirhina mrigala

Pangus Thai Pangus Pangasius hypothelamus

Sarputi Thai sorputi Puntias goninotus

4.1.8 Methods of cultivation in the study area

Cultivation method is an important component in agricultural production. In the study area

the respondents followed traditional (by cow, buffallo) and modern (by tractor, power tiller)

method of cultivation. Distribution of the respondents according to their methods of

cultivation shown in table 4.5with their number and percent.

Table 4.5: Methods of cultivation according to year

Methods of

Cultivation

2011 2010 2009

No. of

farmer

Percentage

(%)

No. of

farmer

Percentage

(%)

No. of

farmer

Percentage

(%)

Traditional

method (cow

/buffallo)

15 30 20 40 25 50

Modem method

(tractor

powertiller)

14 28 13 26 9 18
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangifera_indicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangifera_indicahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musa_paradisiacahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musa_paradisiacahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litchi_chinensishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litchi_chinensishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artocarpus_heterophyllushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artocarpus_heterophyllushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoanuthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocos_nuciferahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocos_nuciferahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananas_comosushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananas_comosushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custard-applehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annona_reticulatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annona_reticulatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annona_reticulatahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custard-applehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananas_comosushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocos_nuciferahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoanuthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artocarpus_heterophyllushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litchi_chinensishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musa_paradisiacahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangifera_indica


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Both 21 42 17 34 16 32

Data presented in the table 4.5 indicates that method of cultivation was changed according

to year. In 2011 most of the farmers (42%) followed traditional and modern method

combinedly. While in 2009 and 2010, 50% and 50% farmers followed only traditional

method. Modern method has also increased in 2010 and 2011 significantly exhibiting a

figure of 26% and 28%, respectively. Traditional method has also decreased from the

previous years. Ploughing is a pre-requisite to mineralize and facilitate decomposition of

crop residues, green manure and other organic manures and help release of nutrients. It was

necessary to remove stiff roots, stubbles, root stocks and stamps. More over deep

ploughing facilitates easy uptake of water as well as nutrient by roots from the deeper soil

depths efficiently and consequently increased the root growth.

4.1.9 Use of Modern Agricultural Practices

Use of modern agricultural practices in farming is pertinent to increase farm out put. It is

considers as useful means in field crops production. However, the adoption of modern

practices and their management in field crop production is difficult. Distribution of farmers

according to their use of chemical fertilizer, organic manure, pesticides, and irrigation is

presented in table 4.6.

Table 4.6: Use of modern technologies in the study areas

Name of Practices Low Medium High Not used

Organic Manure 12(24%) 6(12%) 32(64%) 0(0%)

Chemical Fertilizer 10

(20%) 14

(28%) 26

(52%) 0

(0%)

Modern variety of field

crops

5

(10%) 10

(20%) 35

(70%) 0

(0%)

Modern Variety of

Vegetables

7(14%) 15(30%) 28(56%) 0(0%)

Modern variety of fruits 6

(12%) 14

(28%) 30

(60%) 0

(0%)

Modern variety of 42

(48%) 15

(30%) 27

(54%) 0

(0%)


39/66

Modern variety of fish

culture

4

(8%) 12

(24%) 34

(68%) 0

(0%)

Pesticides 1(2%) 10(20%) 39(78%) 0(0%)

Irrigation 0

(0%) 16

(32%) 42

(84%) 0

(0%)

4.1.10 Use of Organic Manure by the Farmers in their Farm Land

Distribution of the farmers according to their use of organic manure is shown in the

table 4.7.

Table 4.7: Distribution of the respondents according to their use of organic

manure.

Use of organic manure Farmers (N=50)

Number Percent

Not use 7 14

Slightly use (up to 1.5t/ha) 18 36

Moderately use(1.6 to 4 t/ha) 20 40

High/ intensive use

(above 4 t/ha)5 10

Form the table 4.7 it is evident that only 10% of the respondents used organic matter at a

much higher level (4 tons/ha), while an overwhelming majority (40%) of the respondent

used organic matter moderately(1.6 to 4.0 t/ha). About 14%of the respondent never used

organic matter in their farms.

4.1.11 Application of Chemical Fertilizer

The amounts of chemical fertilizer currently being used in the study areas are shown in

table 4.8. According to the opinion of the respondents, the fertility of soil was decreasing

due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers in the study areas.

Table 4.8: Amount of chemical fertilizer (kg/decimal) application in different crops in

the study area

Crops and

vegetables

Urea

(kg/decimal)

TSP

(kg/ decimal)

MP

(kg/ decimal)

Boro rice 1 0.44 0.28


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Potato 0.88 0.54 0.14

Wheat 0.92 0.6 0.2

Tomato 1.8 1.6 0.88

Brinjal 1.04 0.6 0.80

Cauliflower 1.2 0.7 0.80

Cabbage 1.12 0.48 0.080

4.1.12 Use of Chemical Fertilizer and Organic Manure by the Farmer

In principle balanced fertilization is indispensable to avoid crop yield decline on cultivated

land and to supplement nutrient loss from the soil ecosystem. Balanced fertilization ensures

high productivity in accordance with nutrient demand by individual crops and for individualnutrient elements without causing harm to the environment. Distribution of farmers

according to their use of chemical fertilizer and organic manure are presented in table 4.9.

Table 4.9: Distribution of the respondents according to their use of chemical and

organic manure.

Fertilizer Uses

Farmers

Number (N=50) Percent

Only chemical fertilizer 24 48

Only organic manure 9 18

Both chemical fertilizer

and organic manure

17 34

Data presented in the table 4.9 shows that in the study area majority of the farmers (48%)

used only chemical fertilizer while 18% used only organic manure and 34% used both

chemical fertilizer and organic manure for their land cultivation.

4.1.13 Use of Crop Residues afterHarvest

Continued cultivation without the return of adequate crop residues lead to a decline in the

humus content of soils. In the study area the farmers used their crop residues in various

purposes vitz, as fuel for cooking, and as fodder for livestock. Preservation of crop residues


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(rice straw) after harvest by the farmers and use of crop residues (rice straw) are shown in

fig 4.1.

Figure 4.1: Distribution of the respondents according to their use of crop residues

Data presented in the figure 4.1 shows that most of the farmers (68%) used their crop

residues as fuel, while 22% used as fodder and 10% used as a source of organic matter. In

the study area substantial quantities of crop residues are produced every year but most of

the cases crop residues are used as fuel which causes huge loss of this potential resource.After the harvest of some vegetables crops the farmers used it as fodder and fuel. Crop

residues of all kinds including roots, straw and vegetables top are valuable as a source of

organic matter and plant nutrients(Rashid, 2006).

4.1.14 Processing and Preservation of OrganicWaste

In the study area most of the farmers dug very shallow pit to keep waste materials forcomposting. The pits were not covered with shed or any materials.Various gases such as,


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due to faulty processing, preservation and management, thus polluting farm environment

(Botkin and Keller 1998). Distributions of farmers according to their processing and

preservation of organic waste are described in fig 4.2.

Fig 4.2: Distribution of respondents according to processing and preservation of

organic waste in relation to year

Data presented in the figure 4.2 showed that most of the farmers (36%) preserved organic

waste by making pit in the field, while 20% used organic waste for animal bedding, 18%

for making pit beside the waste and rest 26% farmers kept organic waste without any kind

of preservation.

4.1.15 Farmers Awareness on Soil OrganicMatter Depletion

Awareness of the farmers about soil organic matter depletion is important for the study. To

assess the awareness of the farmers some questions were asked to the farmers and some

answers were found. The percentage distribution of the awareness of the farmers about soil

organic matter depletion is shown in table 4.7.


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Table 4.10 Distribution of the respondents according to their knowledge about soil

organic matter depletion

Knowledge on organic

matter depletion

Farmers (N=50)

Number Percent

Low knowledge(1-3) 9 18

Medium(4-8) 5 10

High(8-10) 4 8

No knowledge 32 64

Total 50 100

Data presented in the table 4.7 indicates that only 8% farmers have high knowledge on the

awareness of soil organic matter depletion, while 18% farmers have low knowledge and

10% farmers have medium knowledge and most of the farmers (64%) farmers have no

knowledge on soil organic matter depletion. This indicates that the farmers in the study

areas needs to the properly educated about the necessity and importance of addition of

organic matter in the soil.

4.1.16 Knowledge and Awareness on Environment

Knowledge and awareness scores of the respondents on farm environment ranged from 1 to

15 with the mean of 6.76 and standard deviation of 2.45. To assess the awareness of the

farmers 15 questions were asked and each correct answer a score of one was given against

each farmer. The distribution of the respondents on the basis their knowledge scores are

presented in table 4.11

Table 4.11: Distribution of the respondents according to their knowledge and

awareness on environment.

Knowledge of

farmers

Farmers(N=50) Mean Standard

deviationNumber Percent

Low

(0-5) 14 28

6.76 2.45Medium

(6-10) 33 66

High(11-15) 3 6


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Data presented in the table 4.8 indicates that highest proportion (66%) of the respondents

fell in medium knowledge categories, while 28% of the respondents fell in the low

knowledge categories and only 6% of the respondents fell in the high knowledge categories.

4.2 Relationship between the Selected Characteristics of the Farmers and Awareness

on Environment

This sections deals with the relationship of selected characteristics of the farmers (the

independent variables) with their environmental knowledge (dependent variable). The

characteristics included age, education, family size, farm size, annual income.To explore

the relationships between the selected characteristics of the respondents and their

environmental knowledge, Pearson's product-moment correlation co-efficient 'Y' had been

usedin table 4.12 is placed below the descriptive interpretation of the meaning of "r"

(Cohen and Holliday, 1982).

Table 4.12: The meaning of correlations coefficient 'r'

r-valueMeaning

0.00- 0.19 Very low correlation

0.20- 0.39 Low correlation0.40-0.69 Moderate correlation

0.70- 0.89 High correlation

0.90- 1.00 Very high correlation

Significant relationships as determined by co-efficient of correlation test "r" have been

examined. A null hypothesis was rejected when the observed 'Y' value was greater than the

table value of "r" at 0.05 level of probability.


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Table 4.13 Correlation co efficient of selected characteristics of the respondents with

their environmental awareness

Dependent variable Independent

variable

Computed value of `r'

Knowledge and awareness on

environment

Age 0.73**

Education 0.70**

Annual income 0.51**

Farm size 0.84**

**=Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level of probability (2 tailed)

The extent of relationship between the selected characteristics of the farmers with their

environmental awareness is presented in Table 4.10. It is clearly evident that environmental

awareness of the respondents were highly correlated with their age (r=0.73), education

(r=0.70) and farm size (r=0.84). The annual income of the surveyed farmers was found to

have moderate correlation (r=0.51) with the environmental awareness. The relationships

showed positive trend. These findings imply that better education, more experience in term

of attainment of age, enhanced family income and farm size act as favourable factors to the

farmers to be more aware of the environmental issues.


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CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

5.1 Findings ofS

ummaryThe study was conducted in the villages of Rustuam Chapor, Indukhur, Eruil, Mathail

Chpapor, and Sabrul Shahjahanpur and Kahaloo upazila under Bogra district during the

period from August to 25 to October 25, 2012.The objectives of the study were (1)To

determine and describe the exising socio-economic status of the farmer in Bogra district ,(2)

To identify the commonly use agriciltural farming practices and environmental condition

in the farming enterprises in Bogra district,(3) To determine the awareness of the farmers

on environmental degradation caused by the use of modem agricultural technologiesand

(4) To explore the co-relation between the selected characteristics of the farmerand their

awareness on environment.

The sample of 50 farmers was selected for the study. Data were collected from

respondents using a pre-tested interview schedule. The major findings of the study are

summarized below. The age of the farmers ranged from 18 to 70 years.While 40 percent

belonged to young and 10% old age categories respectively. About 50 percent of the

farmers in the study area were young to middle aged category. The academic qualification

scores of the respondents were found to range from 1-12. Most of the farmers (60%) fall in

below S.S.C level category, four percent of them can sign only and only 10 percent of the

farmers had higher secondary qualification.Most (66%) of the farmers had medium family

compared to 36 percent belonging to large family and only 18 percent of the farmers had

small family.Only 12 percent of the farmers had very low income, 16 percent of the

farmers had low income, 24 percent had medium income, only 20 percent of them

belonged to high-income category. Fourteen percent of the farmers in the study area had

small farm 18 percent of the farmers in the study area had small farm holding, 28 percent

had medium farm size and 40 percent of them had large farm size.

In principle, balanced fertilization is indispensable to avoid crop yield decline on

cultivated land and to supplement nutrient loss from the soil ecosystem. Majority of the

farmers in the study area used chemical fertilizer while 34% used both chemical fertilizer,

organic manure and 18% used organic manure for their land cultivation. Fertilizer plays a

crucial role in yield increase and is responsible for about 50 percent of the total production.


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In the study area most of the farmers (68%) used their crop residues as fuel while 22%

used as fodder and 10% used as a source of organic matter. Most of the farmers (68%)

used their crop residues as fuel while 22% used as fodder and 10% used as a source of

organic matter. In the study area substantial quantities of crop residues are produced every

year but most of the cases crop residues are used as fuel which causes huge loss of this

potential resource. Most of the farmers (36%) preserved organic waste by making pit in

the field, while 20% used organic waste for animal bedding, 18% for making pit beside the

waste and rest 26% farmers kept organic waste without any kind of preservation.

Knowledge scores of the respondents on environmental awareness ranged from 1 to 15

with the mean of 6.76 and standard deviation of 2.45. Only 8% farmers have high

knowledge on the awareness of soil organic matter depletion while 18% farmers have low

knowledge and 10% farmers have medium knowledge and most of the farmers (64%)have

no knowledge on soil organic matter depletion.

5.2 Conclusions

From the study, it was found that most of the respondents were lacking of proper

awareness on environmental issues. On the basis of this fact, majority of the respondents

are still in darkness about environmental awareness. There was no significant relation

between family size of farmers with their environmental awareness. This may be due to

reason that the family members do not have greater interaction with other people in the

survey area and rate of sharing of information among the family members is low.

Education, farm size and knowledge of the farmers had a positive and significant

relationship with their environmental awareness. These findings concluded that higher

literacy level of farmers would be helpful in raising their knowledge and awareness on

environmental issues. Therefore, to increase farmers environmental knowledge, proper

steps are to be taken for more and more informal environment orientation and adult

education programmers should be launched in the villages by the concerned agencies.

Large farm size influences its owner to have more knowledge and aware about

environment. Steps should be taken to pay more attention towards the poor respondents to

raise their income so that they become aware of environmentally safe cultivation

techniques along with high income respondents. Knowledge on agricultural technologies is

very important for environmentally safe cultivation. This fact indicates that Govt. should

take effective measure to help the farmers in upgrading their agricultural knowledge as

well as environmental knowledge.


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5.3 Recommendations for Further Study

This study investigated the relationship of five characteristics of the farmers with their

environmental knowledge. Therefore, it is recommended that further study should be

conducted with other independent and dependent variables. On the basis of scope and

limitations of the present study and observation made by the researcher, the following

recommendations are made for further study.

1) Further study is necessary to find out effective ways and means of providing

education including environmental issues in agriculture to the farmers.

2)

In the present study family size had no significant relationship with environmental

knowledge on the use of modern agricultural technologies. In this connection,

further verification is necessary.

3)

Studies need to be undertaken to ascertain the principles and procedures for

establishment and maintenance of serving organization in the rural areas of

Bangladesh.

4)

Further research is necessary to find out the effective ways and means of providing

education including environmental issues to the farmers.


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39

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