Farmers Attitude towards Organic Farming: A Case Study in Chapainawabganj District
Mithun Kumar Ghosh *
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, EXIM Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh, Bangladesh.
Mehedi Hashan Sohel
Department of Soil Science, EXIM Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh, Bangladesh.
Nazmin Ara
Faculty of Agriculture, EXIM Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh, Bangladesh.
Fatima Tuj Zahara
Faculty of Agriculture, EXIM Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh, Bangladesh.
Sajid Bin Nur
Faculty of Agriculture, EXIM Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh, Bangladesh.
Md. Mahamudul Hasan
Faculty of Agriculture, EXIM Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The main purpose of the study was to evaluate farmers socio-economic status, attitude and relationship among them towards organic farming. The study was conducted in five upazilas of Chapainawabganj district in Bangladesh. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 40 respondents. Attitude of respondents toward organic farming was measured with twenty statements using five point likert type scales. To explore the relationship between the concerned variables correlation coefficient (r) was computed. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the variables. Majority of the respondents were male (90%), average age was 44 years. 45% respondents were illiterate, had average 4 years of farming experience. Majority of the respondents (80%) had positive attitude towards organic farming. Relatives and Extension Agents were found as the main information source of organic farming for most of the respondents. Cosmopoliteness and Extension contact had positive and significant relationship with their attitude (.461 and .377 respectively). It was concluded that farmers were knowledgeable about organic farming and also had favourable attitude toward its practices. Efforts should therefore be made to promote and increase the practice of organic farming. By promoting organic farming practice, farm income is increased than conventional farming.
Keywords: Organic farming, correlation, cosmopoliteness, extension, attitudes