eco friendly on agricultural crops

View with images and charts IMPACT OF ECO-FRIENDLY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN BANGLADESH

PRACTICES

ON

CROP

INTRODUCTION 1.1 General background A recent investigation by the Food and 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 and pesticides, continuous use of irrigation water, total removal of biomass from the agricultural fields and some other activities.

These have generated new sets of problems such as soil erosion, loss of soil fertility, deficiencies of sulphur and zinc, etc. (Anon,1991). Eco-friendly agriculture is just a comprehensive agricultural production system intensively engaged in accordance with the principles of ecology. The practices that are used in ecological agricultural are known as eco friendly agricultural practice. Eco- friendly agriculture is mainly organic, mechanical, physical and cultural practices of agriculture. (Joshi and Prabhakarasetty, 2005).

To regain the ecological status it is high time for judicious use of agro-chemicals i.e. removal of agro- chemicals in crop production by giving the emphasis on eco-friendly practices mainly, organic, mechanical, physical and cultural practices. Government became very much concerned about the devastating impact of imbalanced use of agro- chemical and earnestly felt the need for developing the alternative strategies practices that is sustainable productive and environmentally friendly intervention. In the vision 2020, Department of Agricultural Extension introduced the New Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP) which stated from 1996.

It consists of 11 components; among these one component is “The attention to environmental condition” in crop production. Removal of the use of agro- chemicals by encouraging ecofriendly agricultural farming is steadily gaining popularity through the world and there are strong organic movement every where in Europe and North America. (Joshi and Prabhakarasetty, 2005).

Gradually Bangladesh government is recognizing the removal of agro chemicals by interventions with different eco-friendly agricultural practices in crop production.

Eco- friendly practices can make major positive impact on environment (Mc Robie, 1990).

Now a days’ government extension provider of Bangladesh, like DAE is working with projects all over the country. Every project has the major attention on environmental consideration in crop production by removal or reducing agro- chemicals.

Among those projects a major and the largest type of project is Agricultural Extension Component (AEC), whose implementing agency is the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), associate agencies are seed wing, Agricultural Information Service (AIS) and On– Farm Research Division (OFRD) of BARI. OFRD involved in Farmers Participatory

Research activities in the project area. Component strategies of ICM project are:(1) Capacity development of farmers on ICM in crop production (Rice, homestead gardening, food and nutrition,production and use of eco-friendly organic inputs and products ),(2) Development of Departmental Trainers (DTs) to train eco-friendlyICM practices to farmers, (3) To develop Farmers Trainers (FTs) from ICM trained farmers of ICM club to lead farmer to farmers eco-friendly extension services initially within crop sub-sector and later to cover other sub-sectors,(4) To increase Integrated Farming System (IFS),(5) To increase Integrated Nutrient System (INS), (6) To increase Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), (7) To increase Integrated Pest Management (IPM), (8) To increase Alternate Wet and Drying system (AWD) of water management and ultimate target of the above mentioned activities and system is to decrease/remove indiscriminant use of agro-chemicals for creating environmental intervention by encouraging eco-friendly agricultural practices in crop production through Farmers Field School (FFS) approach which is directly controled

by ICM project.The farmers of Farmers Field School (FFS) receive 20 weeks (140 days) eco-friendly agricultural related activities and training (serial above no 1 to 8) directly conducted by ICM project through the ICM resource personnel (master trainers), district and upazilla level resource personnel of DAE and other resource personnel related to the department like DLS,DOF,NGOs,environment related departments and eco-friendly agriculture related stakeholders. After finishing 20 sessons season long training the 50 (25male+25female) farmers of FFS establish a ICM club in that respective area in which 50 trained farmers are directly supervised by ICM project for practicing eco-friendly agriculture in crop production. As a result the ICM club farmers save the money by minimizing production cost.

Some of the NGOs, private extension providers, provide various types of training on ecofriendly agricultural practice for their group members and ICM members, other than 140 days training for ICM farmers by ICM project both DAE and NGOs providing continuous training and other input facilities to the ICM members to increase their knowledge and to form a favorable attitude and adoption towards eco-friendly agricultural practices in crop production.

1.2

Statement of problem

The crop land of Bangladesh has been losing its fertility by using anti- natural practices like chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides. Murakami (1991) stated that the anti- natural agricultural practices degrade the soil and ecological balance in many ways resulting poor output. The anti-natural practices increase the cost of production in one hand and decrease the microbial activities of the soil on the other, which creates new hazardous situation in the entire crop production system including health hazards. Chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides not only contaminate surface water, they also affect fish population and health as well.

Farmers of Bangladesh can not depend on 100% eco-friendly agricultural practice. Proportion of plant nutrient contains is poor in organic fertilizer. So farmers can supply plant nutrient easily by using chemical fertilizer. On the other hand, it is very difficult to control without chemical pesticides and fertilizers at the time of severe pest attack and sever nutrient deficiency in crop field respectively. For these reasons, farmers use chemical fertilizer and chemical pesticides for crop production. But in considering the environmental impact, judicious use/ removal of agro-chemical in crop production are major intervention to regain the lost of ecological status. Keeping this in view, government became very much concerned

about the devastating impact of imbalanced use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides and earnestly felt the need for developing knowledge, attitude and adoption practices as an ecofriendly agricultural strategy that is sustainable, productive and environmental friendly. Since 1976 Proshika has been working with DAEs project group members towards development of this alternative strategy termed as judicious use/ removal of agro-chemicals in crop production considering environmental impact (Proshiaka, 2002). Unnayan Bikalper Nithnirdharony Gobeshona(UBNG), a private extension providing organization act as an NGO with DAEs project group members/ ICM club members.

Actually, the concept on judicious use/ removal of agro-chemicals in crop production through encouraging the use of organic, mechanical, physical and cultural practices of agriculture started in the 80s and 90s decades by the name of Strengthening Plant Protection Service (SPPS) Phase- I and II, which popularly known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Recently the IPM project so far conducted by DAE and providing the project facilities in 95% upazila of the country are in collaborating activities with ICM club with their revenue budget. From the beginning of 2000s more than 40 projects are operated by DAE in different names, focusing the main slogan as judicious use /removal of agro-chemicals considering environmental impact in view.Among those projects ICM is the largest and directly providing Integrated Farming System (IFS), Integrated Plant Nutrient System (IPNS), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM) etc. All of the management activities and systems of ICM project conducting 20 sesson training for the farmers (25 male and 25 female) through FFS approach and form ICM club all over the country. Their common view of intervention is environment- friendly agriculture through eco friendly practices in crop production.

NGOs and private extension providers also collaborating with ICM project and providing various types of training course with ICM project to increase the eco- friendly knowledge on agriculture of ICM farmers group members and to form a favorable attitude towards removal of agro-chemicals in crop production. Side by side ICM project provide financial supports and other input facilities to the ICM farmers group members for eco-friendly practice in crop production. Considering environmental impact in view it is necessary to document the changes occurred in knowledge, attitude and adoption practices of eco- friendly agriculture.

This instigated the researcher to ask some relevant questions as follows: (i) What are the socio-demographic charactersitics of the respondents? (ii) What are the levels of respondents in respect of knowledge about eco- friendly practices? (iii) What are the levels of respondents in respect of attitude lowards eco- friendly practices ? (iv) What are the levels of respondents in respect of adoption of eco- friendly practices ? (v)What are the impact of eco-friendly practices measuring the differences between pre and post involvement of the respondents in respect of of knowledge, attitude and adoption change and also livelihood change. (vi) What are the relationship between the selected characteristics of the respondents and their changed in knowledge, attitude and adoption? (vii) What are the main contributing characteristics of the respondents on their knowledge attitude and adoption of eco-friendly practice? (viii) What are the problems faced by the respondents to use eco-friendly practices?

In view of the above circumstances, the researcher attempted to undertake the present study with the following specific objectives.

1.2 Objective of the study The following specific objectives of the study are: (1) To determine the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents.

(2) To determine the impact of eco-friendly practices in respect of knowledge, attitude, and adoption practices and livelihood changes of the respondents.

(3) To determine the relationship between the selected characteristics of the respondents and their changes in knowledge, attitude and adoption.

(4) To determine the contribution of the selected characteristic of the respondents to changes their knowledge, attitude, and adoption of eco-friendly practices.

(5) To explore the problems facing in adoption of eco-friendly practice.

1.3 Rationale of the study Eco-friendly agriculture is just a comprehensive agricultural production system. Murakami (1991) stated that the anti natural agricultural practices degrade the soil and ecological balance in many ways. According to Rahaman (2001), a widespread introduction of ecofriendly agriculture in Bangladesh could be justified through the following arguments: (i) Eco- friendly farming offer the possibility of long term sustainability. (ii) Eco-friendly agriculture is affordable for resource poor farmers (iii) Problem of rural unemployment could be minimized through ecological farming. (iv) Bangladesh has a long heritage of farming with traditional wisdom, which acts as the basis for ecological knowledge.

In a country like Bangladesh, this approach of farming should get an opportunity to prove its feasibility (Islam, 2002). Recently authority like ICM project under DAE took the initiative for popularization of eco-friendly agriculture among the farmers. It is necessary to examine the impact of eco-friendly agricultural practices in different aspects. Considering these facts, the researcher became interested to conduct the present study on the impact of selected ecofriendly agricultural practices by the farmers.

1.4 Scope of the study The study is based on five upazila under five district of the country. In this study impact of eco-friendly agricultural practices had determined. This also enable to identify the factors which affect eco-friendly agricultural practices in crop production. It would provide some guiding principles regarding the extent of extension interventions and would ultimately help the extension providers in formulating appropriate technologies of eco-friendly agricultural practices in crop production and would be helpful to develop sustainability in agricultural crop production. With findings of the present research, the concerned authority could expect to select appropriate strategies for establishing eco-friendly agricultural program for crop production in Bangladesh. The development agencies and extension providers would utilize this key information from the impact analysis on eco-friendly agricultural practices properly.

However, the overall findings of the study might be supplementing other empirical evidences on different aspects of eco-friendly practices in order to build and conceptualize of ecological agriculture in crop production which also can be helpful to the academicians, researchers, planners and policy makers.

1.5 Hypothesis of the study

A hypothesis is a proportion which can be put to test to determine its validity. It may seem contrary to or in accordance with sense (Goode and Hatt, 1952). In a research study, it is essential to formulae null hypothesis of the research problem. Null hypothesis indicates that there is no relationship between the concerned variables. If a null hypothesis rejected based on the statistical test, it is assumed that there exists relationship between variables. The present study put forward the following null hypothesis: (i)

There is no significant differences between knowledge, attitude and adoption of eco-friendly practices of the respondents with theirpre and post involvement in the projects.

(ii)

There is no relationship between selected characteristic of the respondents and the changes in their knowledge, attitude, and adoption of eco-friendly practices.

(iii) There is no contribution of the selected characteristic of the respondents to their knowledge, attitude, and adoption of eco-friendly practices.

1.7

Assumption

An assumption is a proposition that is taken as given in the particular investigation. It is the supposition that an apparent fact or principle is true in the light of available evidence. The researcher had the following assumptions in mind while undertaking this study: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

1.8

The respondent in the sample had the potential for furnishing responses to the queries reflected in the interview schedule.

The researcher who worked as interviewer was well adjusted to the social ecosystem of the study area and the data collected by him from the respondents were free from bias.

The views and opinions furnished by the farmer included into the sample were representatives of the total population.

The respondents were more or less conscious about the use of eco-friendly agricultural practices.

The researcher was capable to rate the responses of the farmers with adequate precision.

Eco-friendly agricultural practices identified in the study area were sustainable practices evolved through the activities of generaton of the farmers and not projected into the social system from outside.

Limitations

The study had the following limitations: (1) This study was conducted in selected areas of Bangladesh.

(2) Many of the factors of farmers and situations were excluded from the investigation due to the limitations of time, money and other resources.

(3) Since the findings were based on the ability of the respondents to recall memory expressed by them, the objectivity of the study was confined to their ability to recall, and also their sincerity and honesty in providing the needed information.

(4) The focus of the study was made mostly on the extent of the use of eco-friendly agricultural practices, its benefits and constraints faced by the farmers in adopting

(5)

ecological agricultural practices, but it was not possible to investigate other issues of the problems like livestock sector, poultry sector, fisheries sector etc.

There are many and vast areas of ecolocial agriculture like crops, livestock, fisheries, etc. But for this study, knowledge, attitude and adoption of farmers regarding ecofriendly crop production practices was/were considered.

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE The researcher made an elaborate search of available literatures having relevance to the present study. It is mainly concerned with the determination of the impact of eco-friendly agricultural practices in crop production. This is again concerned with the changes in knowledge, attitude and adoption of the respondents after their involvement in eco-friendly agricultural program. The area coverage under ecological agricultural practices and constraints faced by the farmers in using the same is also taken in consideration. The researcher intensively searched internet, available books, journals and printed media of different sources. However, the literatures have been organized into the following sections.

2.1. Meaning and methodological impact 2.1.1. Meaning of impact Impact is defined in many ways by different authors.There is a lot of definition or meaning of impact is found in the website.Some of them are given below:  A project`s impacts consist of: all changes that the project causes to the environment; all changes the environment causes to the project; and all cumulative impacts contributes.Impacts of Regional Plan are defined in terms of the difference between the future-with-Plan(FW) situation in 2015 and the future-without-Plan(FWO) situation in 2015.  A statement about the impact the project will have on the participants, the school, the community, and/or the district.  Any aspect of an action that may cause an effect: for example, land clearing during construction is an impact, while a possible effect is loss and fragmentation of wild life habitate.

Sybil (1984) defined impact as a forceful collision between two bodies which is sufficient to cause an appreciable change in the momentum of the system on which it acts. Mustafa et al.

(1996) clear impact as “assessment that involves the analysis of changes (or their absence) which has occurred due to program intervention and understanding of causal relationships of underlying (or constraining) such changes.

Rogers (1983) termed the impact of extension intervention as “consequences of innovations" and defined as “the changes that occur to an individual or to a social system as a result of adoption or rejection of an innovation”. Consequences of innovations are classified as desirable and undesirable. Desirable consequences are the functional effects of an innovation or technology to an individual or to a social system. Undesirable consequences are those effects of an innovation to an individual or to a social system that are considered as undesirable.

2.1.2 Difference between “impact” and “effect” Effects are changes which may not last for more than a short period, while impact refers to sustained structural changes related to social well- beings, i.e. changes which have long lasting effect (Mustafa et al. 1996).

2.1.3

Methods of impact assessment

Generally three important methods are used in any impact assessment(Kothari,2005). These are described below in brief.

• Before and after without control design • After only with control design • Before and after with control design Before and after without control design In this method, a base line survey is conducted before introduction of the intervention or treatment. The intervention is then introduced and at the end of the project again a post survey is done on the same respondents using the same questionnaire. The effect of the intervention would be equal to the level of the phenomenon before the intervention.

Let, Level of phenomenon before intervention = X Level of phenomenon after intervention = Y Therefore, the intervention effect =

Y–X

The advantage of this method is that it does not require collecting data from other than target beneficiaries of the project and thereby the number of respondents as well cost of the survey can be removed. But the impact obtained through this method is not only the contribution of the project interventions; it is the joint contribution of the project interventions and external interventions, because none of the villages is free from the external interventions. In this situation, to assess the impact of the project, one of the means is to analyze the relationship between the project interventions and change variables is observed that may be attributed as project impact. But it needs very detailed investigation.

After only with control design In this design two groups or areas - test area and control area are selected and intervention is introduced into the test area only. The dependent variable is then measured in both the areas at the same time. Intervention impact is assessed by subtracting the value of dependent variable in the control area from its value in the test area. This can be exhibited in the following form: Let, Level of phenomenon after intervention = X Level of phenomenon without intervention = Y Therefore, the treatment or intervention effect = Y–X The basic assumption in such a design is that the two areas are identical with respect to their behavior towards the phenomenon considered. If this assumption is not true, there is the possibility of extraneous variation entering into the intervention effect. However, data can be

collected in such a design without the introduction of problems with the passage of time. In this respect this design is superior to before and after and without control design.

Before and after with control design In case of before and after with control design, the project impact is assessed through eliminating the effects of external interventions. For this, in addition to the project village, control village with similar socio-economic is considered. Survey needs to be conducted both at the project and control villages at the beginning of the project and also at the end of the project. To assess the external impact comparison between baseline information and end of the project information at control village is done. Similarly, comparison between baseline information and end of the project information at the project village is done to get project and external impact. By subtracting the former one from the later, actual impact of the project can be assessed. This design can be exhibited in the following form : Time period

Level of phenomenon Project village Before project intervention A1 (t1) After (t2)

project intervention A2

Control village B1 B2

Change at the end of the (A2-A1) = project impact + (B2-B1) = External impact project (t2 -t1) External impact (1) (2) Project impact (1-2)

(A2-A1) – (B2-B1)

This design is superior to the above two designs for the simple reasons that it avoids extraneous variation resulting both from the passage of time and from non- comparability of the test and control areas. But at times, due to lack of historical data, time or a comparable control area, one of the first two informal design stated above may be preferred.

Beside the above three methods, another method is frequently used in the impact study by comparing members – non-members of a society/cooperative, credit- non-credit growers etc. (beneficiaries and non- beneficiaries) within the project area.

2.1.4 (1) (2)

(3) (4)

Methodological impact assessment WHO (2008) in their study on “towards an assessment of the socioeconomic impact of arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh” used control (no intervention) and intervention (implementation of mitigation method) i.e. after only control design.

Hanchett et al. (2002) in their study on increasing awareness of arsenic in Bangladesh : lesson from a public education program assessed impact by using after only control design i.e., the researchers selected two groups of respondent, one group were influenced by a project and the other group was not connected with the project.

JICA and AAN (2004) conducted a study to assess the impact of an arsenic mitigation project entitled “Integrated Approach for Mitigation of Arsenic Contamination of Drinking Water in Bangladesh”. They used before and after without control design.

Gofran (2006) used after only without control design to determine the impact of micro-credit program on the livelihood of rural farmers in Bangladesh.

(5)

Roy (1986) used member-non-member comparison technique in an impact study on cooperatives.

(6) Ali (2001), in his study on impact of technology transfer performance of the cane development workers of sugarcane mills on the growers also used beneficiary-nonbeneficiary groups comparison of the mill zones as well as between the farmers of sugar mills and non-sugar mill zones. This method is generally used where benchmark data were not available and comparisons are to be made among the farmers of the same areas living side by side. Non-members (or similar groups) are considered a ‘control’ and members (or similar groups) are treated as ‘experimental’.

(7) Ahmed (2003) in his study on impact of shrimp farming on socio-economic, agriculture and environmental conditions assessed impact by using Impact Evaluation Model (IEV), where IEV = Post-projected value, i.e, before and after without control method.

(8) Rahman (1994) in his study on Gono Unnayan Prochesta’s (GUP) sugarcane extension program’s impact on sugarcane growers used GUP-non-GUP sugarcane farmers’ comparison from the same area.

(9) Islam (2006) completed a research work on Sustainable Livelihood of Rural Community through Comprehensive Village Development Program (CVDP) of Bangladesh Rural Academy for Development. The researcher used after only control design i.e, the researcher compared CVDP village’s respondent with non-CVDP village’s respondent to measure the effect of Comprehensive Village Development Program on the beneficiaries.

(10) Torab (2007) used before and after without control method while assessing impact of New Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP) interventions on changing of small farmers livelihood in Bangladesh.

(11) Rosenboom (2004) used before and after without control design while assessing the impact of an arsenic mitigation project entitle “UNICEF/DPHE Fifteen Upazila Arsenic Mitigation Project”.

(12)Proshika, 1999 reported that 90% of Proshika members achieved some increase income.Among the members having above 13 months duration, about 20-22% household’s income increased by more than 25%while 25% household’s income increased by more than 50%.The income difference was the largest(19%) between new members and those of having membership duration 13 to 48 months.there income difference was significant at 1% level.

2.2 2.2.1

Principles and concept of eco-friendly agriculture Eco-friendly agricultural practices

Farmers use different types of inputs in different doses for agricultural farming operations.

On the basis of input use, types of agricultural farming operations may be classified into two broad categories: •

Fully chemical farming, In this type of agricultural farming, plant nutrients are supplied only by chemical fertilizers, while pests are controlled by only chemical pesticides. Farmers sometimes use recommended doses of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for agricultural farming operations. But sometimes they use excess doses of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Consequently, it becomes harmful to the soil, water and air as well as environment.

•

Sustainable farming: where sustainability of yield, profit, soil and whole agroecosystem are to be considered simultaneously. Joshi and Prabhakarasetty (2005) stated that sustainable agriculture aims at developing stable production system.

There are some farming system resulted into many integrated methods now popularly called Integrated Farming System (IFS), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM),. Integrated Plant Nutrient System (IPNS) for nutrient management and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for pest management in agricultural farms directly controlled by Integrated crop Management (IPM) project under Agriculture Extention Component of DAE. Non-chemical farming: Different experts and scientists termed it with different terminologies.

The terms are ‘organic agriculture’, ‘zero-chemical farming’, ‘bio-dynamic farming’, ‘compost farming’, ‘sewage farming’, ‘and mixed farming and so on.

(1) Li and Li (2000) stated that Chinese Ecological Agriculture (CEA) is an agricultural system with ecological rationality and a positive function (recycling), which is created and developed through system of engineering methods according to ecological and economic principles.

(2) Narwal et al. (2000) of Haryana Agricultural University, India gave the definition of ecological agriculture as those practices which reduce the use of outside inputs on farms.

(3) Remmers (1993) defined ecological agriculture as those systems, which have arisen as a reaction to the dominant conventional agriculture of modern times and it is aimed at ensuring sustainable land use.

(4) According to Zhengfang (1995) ecological agriculture is a comprehensive agricultural production system intensively engaged in accordance with the principles of ecology.

(5) Ecological agriculture, also popularly known as organic farming, now-a-days has been emerged as a new approach to sustainable agriculture. Many authors consider it to be the farming system which best fulfils the requirements of sustainability (Lampkin, 1990; Gerber and Hoffmann, 1998). All possible non-chemical methods are used for nutrient and pest management for this type of agricultural farming.

(6) Joshi and Prabhakarasetty (2005) stated that zero-chemical farming is a method of farming, where the use of synthetic chemicals is avoided in toto.

(7) Joshi and Prabhakarasetty (2005) revealed that essentially bio-dynamic farming involves use of cosmic rays and therefore claims that cosmic energies of nature could be effectively utilized to enrich a natural source of nutrients-which could be used as rich manure.

(8) USDA Study Team on Organic Farming (1980) defined that organic farming is a production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, and livestock feed additives.

(9) According to Jaisingh (2005) agriculture without chemicals, chemical fertilizers or sprays is generally understood as organic agriculture.

(10) Heavy reliance is made on digested manure as the main source of nutrients in compost type of framing (Joshi and Prabhakarasetty, 2005).

(11) Fukuoka (1985) reported that he was able to demonstrate in his Japanese farm and it was possible to manage the crop with least interference, with no chemical fertilizer/pesticide and simultaneously build up the soil fertility.

(12) (13) (14)

Humus farming is a type of farming, wherein the crop is expected to grow by utilizing the humus formed out of constant decomposition of bio-mass (Joshi and Prabhakarasetty, 2005).

According to Joshi and Prabhakarasetty (2005) mixed farming is a type of farming wherein crop husbandry activity is combined with allied activities such as animal husbandry like cattle, goat, sheep, poultry, duck rearing, fisheries etc.

According to Joshi and Prabhakarasetty (2005) natural farming ssignifies the method of farming, where cultivation of a crop is left to the natural forces in a given place.

2.2.2 Principles of eco-friendly practices • • • •

Ensure as much or more productivity as chemical agriculture, Don’t disturb the natural environment, principles of eco-friendly agriculture is, Ensure sustainability, Depend less on external inputs (Murkami 1991)

As stated by Joshi and Prabhakarasetty (2005) the basic principles of organic farming or ecological agricultural practices can be enumerated as follows : (1) All possible organic sources available in nature should be used in digested/semidigested/undigested condition to supply the plant nutrients.

(2) The process of biological nitrogen fixation should be encouraged in all possible ways during the process of crop husbandry. Alternation of cropping systems, inoculation of suitable bacterial culture and management for better bacterial activity in the soil may help in better nitrogen fixing activities in the soil.

(3) A crop should be able to grow and yield successfully utilizing the nutrients from soil of high fertility by enhanced microbial activities.

(4) The human interference in the crop husbandry activities should never obstruct the natural process of an eco-system and should never upset the natural balance available between components of an eco-system. On the contrary, such activities should be supportive of natural processes.

(5) Natural resistance of some crops of pest and diseases should be conveniently exploited for the benefit of crop production. No practice, which would suppress the natural resistance, is encouraged in organic farming.

(6) Nature’s friends such as earthworm and spiders should be recognized and their activity should be encouraged for the benefit of soil fertility, crop growth and pest control.

(7) Pests and diseases of a crop should be essentially controlled by natural enemies, predators, bio-control agents or by use of natural products/bio-extracts.

2.2.3

Environmental pollution and environmental knowledge

Now-a-days environmental problem is a threatening concern throughout the world because of the global environment which is changing rapidly. As environment involved the surroundings, where we live and in which a range of development activities are performed for our private and public life, these two cannot be separated from one another. Man’s relationship with his environment and more particularly with other human beings, animals, plants and inanimate objects is reflected in and interacts with his imagination and aspirations.

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 interlocked system mostly directed to ensure a balance between the different components (Nishat A.et al, 2001).

An investigation by the United Nations, Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) on the current status of land productivity in Bangladesh revealed that there is a general trend towards declining or stagnation crop yields. These adverse trends are considered to be the result of intensive cropping through indiscriminate use of fertilizers, pesticides, continuous 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 zine etc. (Report of the Task Forces, 1991).

Hossain (2000) in his study on farmers knowledge of Binadhan-6 in the Boro season found that highest proportion (66 percent) of the farmers possessed medium knowledge, 21 percent low knowledge and lowest proportion (14 percent) possessed high knowledge.

Nurzaman (2000) found that 60 percent of the FFS (Farmers’ Field School) farmers had medium, 25 percent low FFS farmers was found to have high agricultural knowledge. The majority (55 percent) of the non-FFS farmers had low agricultural knowledge and rest (45 percent) of the non FFS farmers had medium agricultural knowledge and rest (45 percent) of the non FFS farmers had medium agricultural knowledge.

Sattar (1994) listed many problems, adverse effect or hazardous action of fertilizers in soils, crops, human health, air, water and other environments. Some of the major problems included the following : i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.

Decrease the organic matter and iodine content in soils, make soils harder, more acidic or alkaline, Create some diseases to certain fish species, Decrease soil organisms, earth worms or other organisms in soils, Reduce fertility status in soils, Change the taste and quality of some fruits, vegetables and other crops, Pollute the surface as well as ground water, etc.

Dhaliwal et al. (1996) stated that the insect pests are controlled with the use of chemicals which have destructive influence on the useful fauna, anti create environmental pollution.

Islam (1990) opined that the success of pesticides in controlling on a short term basis can not be denied but their long term effect on the ecosystems including human health and environment are very much doughtful for two major regions. One is the rapid evolution of new breed pests, resistant to the pesticides applied, and another in the increasing pesticide hazards. According to Swaminathan (1991) indiscriminate use of pesticides, fungicides and herbicides could cause biological imbalance as well as to increase the incidence of cancer and other diseases through the toxic residues being present in gains or other edible parts of the plant.

Goni (1997) reported that use of pesticides kill beneficial creatures and insects and make the land fertile. Beside, the indiscriminate use of pesticides create a resistance against insects and pests which in turn creates an increased threat to the crops.

According to Hossain et al. ( 1996) harmful pesticides are being indiscriminately used in different fields for so called “green revolution� particularly for HYV rice crops. The different destructive pesticides are being used include Dieldrin, DDT, Nogos, Sumithion, 13MC,

Diaginon etc. the direct and indirect residual effect of these pesticides caused environmental degradation in rice ecosystem year after year.

Islam (1990) reported that pesticides kill non target organisms including parasites and predators of pests that were innocuous prior to the application of pesticides, resulting in out break of those pests. Insect psollinators, birds, fish and other animals have been killed by pesticides. Repeated application of insecticides over a long period to protect vast areas of rice fields have been reported to have serious adverse effect on the microbial pollution, which are essentially needed for maintaining soil health. Reazxuddion (1994) stated that insecticides in soil disrupt the life cycle of many animals and micro organisms which are beneficial. Some of these chemicals are taken up by plants. Sometimes the does is so high that it destroy useful plants.

Satter (1994) reported that the pesticides after application directly and indirectly come in contact with plants domestic and wild lives, aquatic and terrestrial lives and soil environment and create minor to severe hazards to the biodiversity. Reazuddin (1994) stated that poisonous chemicals used to control injurious insects and also killed large number of beneficial insects. Insects have their enemies, Large number of small insects of the order Hymenoptera parasites, eggs and larvae of phytophagous insects and control them Lady bird beetles control many crop pests. Ants are predators of ninny scale insects and aphid.

Spraying of insecticides also kill them.

2.3 Knowledge, attitude and adoption of eco-friendly agricultural practices The literatures related to knowledge, attitude and adoption of eco-friendly agricultural practices are discussed bellow; (1)Nurzaman (2000) revealed that the FFS farmers and Non-FFS farmers differed significantly in respect of their knowledge, attitude and adoption practice on IPM. The FFS farmers had a significant higher knowledge on IPM, more favourable attitude towards IPM and higher practice of IPM than Non-FFS farmers.

(2)

Ahmed (2002) revealed that adoption of IPM practices did not vary significantly by the male and female FFS beneficiaries, i.e. both male and female FFS beneficiaries were equally innovative in adopting the IPM practices in crop cultivation.

(3) Realizing the importance of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in cotton production, Kalaskar (1999) carried out a study in Bhatkuli Panchayat Samiti of Amravati district in Maharashtra state of India and observed that overwhelming majority of the farmers adopted cultural and chemical practices as per recommendations. However mechanical and biological practices and use of sex pheromone traps were adopted by negligible percentage of respondents.

(4) Islam (2002) found in his study that majority (87 percent) of the ecological farmers of Proshika had medium adoption while only one percent had low and 12 percent had high adoption of ecological agricultural practices. Considering extent of adoption, the mostly adopted ecological practices, as stated in descending order, were compost, mulching, inter and mixed cropping, multi layer crop, crop rotation, green manuring, mechanical control of pest, disease and pest resistant varieties and botanical pesticides.

(5) Hossain et al. (2001) reported that depletion of soil organic matter is the main cause of low productivity, which is considered as one of the most serious threats to the sustainability of agriculture in Bangladesh. To increase the soil organic matter, farmers use green manure crops, compost, quick compost, cow dung, azolla, etc.

However, sufficient food should be produced to keep pace with population growth. To alleviate the hunger and poverty it is to increase the intensity of agricultural production and maintain favourable ecological conditions. Therefore, more organic matter should be used in the farmers fields to sustain the soil fertility in an intensive farming system.

(7) Islam (2003) conducted a study and found that majority (49 percent) of the farmers had medium adoption of organic manures, while 18 percent, 13 percent and 20 percent had high, low and no adoption respectively. The findings also indicated that five percent of the respondent used one or more manures with urea only, while 26 percent, 41 percent and eight percent used one or more manures with two, three and four chemical fertilizers respectively.

(8) Rabbany (2003) showed that only 31.37 percent of the farmers were high users of integrated pest management (IPM) practices, while 86.89 percent were medium and none was low users. Among 10 selected IPM practices “Agro-ecosystem Analysis (AESA) in every crop season” ranked first in the order while “ collection and destroy of eggs and larvae by hand” ranked last.

(9) Sardar (2002) conducted a study and revealed that the majority (45.9 percent) of the farmers had medium, 38.3 percent low and 15.8 percent high adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.

Hamidi (2004) revealed that almost one-sixth (16.81 percent) of the farmers had high, slightly higher than one-sixth (18.53 percent) had low and nearly two-thirds (64.66 percent) had medium adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.

2.4 Relationships between selected factors of the respondents and their knowledge, attitude and adoption Age Parveen (1995) revealed that the age of the farm women was not related with their knowledge on the use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water Hossain (2002) in his study found that age of the farmers had no significant relationship with their knowledge on Binadhan-6 technology.

Hanif (2000) found that in his study that there was a positive significant relationship between age of the respondents and their awareness on environmental pollution in case of Farmer Field School (FFS) farmers. He also found that there was a negative relationship between age of the farmers and their awareness on environmental pollution. Hamid (1995) in his study on farmers’ awareness on environmental pollution caused by the use of agrochemicals found that age of the farmers had significant negative relationship with their awareness on environmental pollution.

Iqbal (1963), however, in his study on farmers’ attitude towards adoption of modern agricultural practices observed that older farmers had more favorable attitude towards modern and improved agricultural practices as compared to younger farmers.

Islam (2002) in his study found that age and adoption of ecological agricultural practices had no significant relationship.

Hamidi (2004) in his study found that age and Adoption of integrated pest management practices had significant negative relationship.

Islam (2003) in his study found that age and Composite adoption of organic manures had significant positive relationship.

Education Farhad (2003) found that the education of the rural women farmer had significant and positive relationship with their knowledge in using IPM in vegetable cultivation

Parveen (1995) found that the level of education of the farm women had a significant positive relationship with their knowledge on the use of fertilizer, pesticides and irrigation water.

Ahmed (2002) in his study found that education and Adoption of integrated pest management had significant positive relationship.

Sardar (2002) in his study found that education and Adoption of integrated pest management had significant positive relationship.

Hamidi (2004) in his study found that education and Adoption of integrated pest management practices had significant positive relationship.

Naruka and Bangarva (2004) in his study found that education and Adoption of bio-fertilizers had significant positive association Family size Hanif (2000) found that in his study there was a positive insignificant relationship between family size of the respondents and their awareness on environmental pollution.

Alam (1997) in his study found that family size of the farmers had positive and significant relationship with their use of farm practices in rice cultivation.

Parveen (1995) revealed that family size of the farm women had a positive significant relationship with their knowledge on the use of fertilizer, pesticides and irrigation water.

Faruque (2002) in his study found that family size and Use of indigenous technical knowledge had positive relationship.

Sardar (2002) in his study found that fsamily size and adoption of integrated pest management had no relationship.

Rabbany (2003) in his study found that family size and use of integrated pest management had no significant relationship.

Farm size Farhad (2003) found that farm size of rural women farmer had a positive significant relationship with their knowledge in using IPM in vegetable cultivation.

Parveen (1995) revealed that the homestead of the farm women had a positive significant relationship with their knowledge on the use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water.

Rahim (1961) in his study on diffusion and adoption of agricultural practices observed that farm size had positive relationship with the adoption of agricultural practices. Khan (1993) found in his study on adoption of agricultural practices and related issues that farm size was positively related to the adoption of agricultural practices. Similar finding was also obtained

by Gogoi and Gogoi (1989). Hamid (1995), however, found that the area under cultivation of farmers had no significant relationship with their awareness on environmental pollution.

Parveen (1995) also observed that the homestead size of farm women had significant relationship with their awareness on environmental degradation.

Annual family income Singh (1991) found that income of the farmers was associated with the level of adoption of plant protection measures. He also found that low income farmers had greater

tendency to apply less than the recommended doses and lack of knowledge was found the major reasons for non-adoption.

Parveen (1995) stated that the annual income had a positive significant relationship with their knowledge on the use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water.

Ahmed (2002) in his study found that annual income and adoption of integrated pest management had significant positive relationship.

Islam (2002) in his study found that annual income and adoption of ecological agricultural practices had significant positive relationship.

Sardar (2002) in his study found that family annual income adoption of integrated pest management had significant positive relationship.

Rabbany (2003) in his study found that annual income use of integrated pest management had significant positive relationship.

Cosmopliteness Farhad (2003)reported that cosmopoliteness of the respondents had a positive significant relationship with their knowledge in using IPM in vegetable cultivation.

Hanif (2000) found in his study that there was a insignificant relationship between cosmopoliteness of the respondents and their awareness on environmental pollution in case of FFS farmers.

Parveen (1995) reported that cosmopoliteness of the farm women was not related with their knowledge on the use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water.

Sardar (2002) in his study found that cosmopoliteness and adoption of integrated pest management had significant positive relationship.

Islam (2003) in his study found that cosmopoliteness and composite adoption of organic manures had significant positive relationship.

Rabbany (2003) in his study found that cosmopoliteness and use of integrated pest management had significant positive relationship.

Hamidi (2004) in his study found that cosmopoliteness and adoption of integrated pest management practices had significant positive relationship.

Source of information Farhad (2003) showed that contact with extension media of the respondents had significant positive relationship with their knowledge in using IPM in vegetable cultivation.

Sana (2003) reported that media exposure of the farmers had a significant positive relationship with their knowledge of shrimp culture.

Raha (1980) found that extension contact of the farmers had no significant relationship their irrigation problem.

Juliana et al. (1991) in his study found that extension agency contact and adoption of integrated pest management practices had significant positive relationship.

Hamidi et al. (2004) in his study found that individual extension contact and adoption of integrated pest management practices had Significant positive relationship.

Thomas et al. (1990) in his study found that group meeting and adoption of integrated pest management practices had significant positive relationship.

Hamidi et al. (2004) in his study found that group extension contact and adoption of integrated pest management practices had significant positive relationship.

Juliana et al (1991) in his study found that mass media exposure and adoption of integrated pest management practices were positively associated.

Hamidi et. al. (2004) in his study found that mass extension contact and adoption of integrated pest management practices had significant positive relationship.

Agricultural knowledge Subject related knowledge is one of the very important traits of an individual. This helps not only broaden horizons but also to accept new ideas. Hossain et al. (2002) found that agricultural knowledge of the island farmers had positive significant relationship with their attitude towards adoption of modern agricultural technologies. Hence, it may be expected that extent of use of eco-friendly agricultural practices may be related with agricultural knowledge Training exposure Alam et al. (2004) observed that training experience of rural women had positive significant relationship with their attitude towards homestead vegetable cultivation.

Parvez (2007) concluded from his study that there was no relationship between the training experience of the farmers and their attitude towards IPM for HVCs production..

Islam (2002) in his study found that training exposure and adoption of ecological agricultural practices had no significant relationship.

Alam (2004) in his study found that training received and use of integrated pest management practices had No significant relationship.

Hamidi et. al. (2004) in his study found that training experience and adoption of integrated pest management practices had significant positive relationship. Hence, it may be expected that extent of use of eco-friendly agricultural practices may be related with training experience Organizational participation Farhad (2003) reported that organizational participation of the respondents had a positive and significant relationship with their knowledge in using IPM in vegetable cultivation.

Parveen (1995) found that group participation of the farm women had a negative significant relationship with their knowledge on the use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water Decision making ability Ali (2004) in his study found that decision making ability and adoption of aqua cultural technologies had no significant relationship Reza (2004) in his study found that participation in decision making with other household members about farming activities and adoption of selected modern agricultural practices had significant positive relationship.

Problem faced in ecological agriculture

Parveen (1993) in his study found that problem confrontation and participation in homestead agriculture had no significant relationship.

Reza (2004) in his study found that problem confrontation and adoption of selected modern agricultural practices had no significant relationship.

Attitude towards ecological agriculture Nurzaman (2000) in his study found that attitude towards integrated pest management had significant positive relationship.

Hamidi (2004) in his study found that attitude towards integrated pest management practices and adoption of integrated pest management practices had positive significant relationship.

2.5 Conceptual model of the study Impact of eco-friendly agricultural practices in crop production referred to the agricultural practices without using any chemical inputs like fertilizer, pesticides. A well developed research project rests upon a rationality developed conceptual model that usually composed of synthesis of related empirical evidence, a set of assumptions, principles, interrelationships between concerned variables-all to lead the researcher for valid findings and finally to help him/her explain the observed phenomenon (Akanda, 2005).

The conceptual model of the study is described in terms of three phases as follows: Theoretical phase Impact assessment on eco-friendly agricultural practices in crop production through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, environment friendly Integrated Farming System (IFS), Integrated Plant Nutrient System (IPNS), Integrated Farming System (IFS), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) under the project of Integrated Crop Management (ICM) now a high terms to attained sustainable agriculture to check ‘ environmental soil degradation’, ‘air pollution’, ‘water contamination’ and ‘predator elimination’ through indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals resulting human health hazards.

Empirical phase To asses the impact of eco-friendly agricultural practices in crop production four broad parameters were taken into consideration for this study like knowledge, attitude, adoption and livelihood (both agricultural and socio-economic) of the respondents. These parameter was supposed to be influenced through interacting forces of many factors in their surroundings. It was difficult to deal with all factors in a single study. It was therefore, necessary to limit the factors which included personal characteristics are age, education, family size, while economic characteristics includes, farm size, annual family income, marketing opportunity, benefit obtained from ecological agriculture.

Moreover, cosmopoliteness, source of information, organizational participation, training on eco-friendly agricultural practices,utilization of training knowledge, decision making ability, problem faced by eco-friendly practice constituted the social characteristics of the respondents. It was assumed that there were much benefit and also having some problems in eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production.

Implementation phase GOs, NGOs and Private organizations who are known as extensions providers could make motivational extension program among the farmers to understand the benefit of eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production help to minimize the problems of eco-friendly agricultural practices, there would be changed the knowledge,

attitude, adoption and livelihood of the respondents and resulted the hazardous free sustainable agricultural environment.

Based on the review of literature and these discussions the conceptual model of this study has been formulated shown in figure-1.

Theoretical phase

Environmental soil degradation

Water contamination Indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals

Air pollution

Predator elimination Human health hazard

IPM

INM

IFS

ICM Program

IPNS IFS

Desired changes of the individual in terms of knowledge , attitude, adoption and livelihood.

EXTENSION SERVICE PROVIDERS

GOs

NGOs

Private organization

Understanding the benefits of eco-friendly agricultural practices.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE (Respondents Characteristics) Personal Economical Social Psychological

Knowledge Attitude Adoption Livelihood parameters parameters parameters parameters

Minimizing problems of econ-friendly agricultural practices.

Implementation phase

Empirical phase

DEPENDENT VARIABLE Impact of Eco-friendly Agricultural Practices in-Crop Production.

Sustainable eco-friendly agricultural development Figure 1. Conceptual framework of the study CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY Research methodology is the description, explanation and justification of various methods of conducting research. It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically. In methodology, the researcher studies the various steps that are generally adopted by him / herself in studying the research problem along with the logic behind them (Ray and Mondal, 1999). According to Chava and David (1996), a scientific methodology is a system of explicit rules and procedures upon which research is based and against which claims for knowledge are evaluated. They described three rules of methodology viz. methodology provides rules for communication, methodology provides rules for reasoning and methodology provides rules for inter-subjectivity. Thus, methodology guides the researcher how he collects, analyzes, and interprets the observations and findings. So, the researcher should be very careful about the formulation of methods and techniques in conducting his/her research. All these issues are presented in this chapter.

Methodology of the present study included: research design, units of analysis of the study, population and sampling, instruments and methods of collection of data, development of data gathering instruments, data collection, and measurement of variables.

3.1 Research design A research design is the detailed plan of investigation. It is the blueprint of the detailed procedure of testing the hypotheses and analyses of obtained data (Ray and Mondal, 1999).

Seltiz et al. (1976) defined research design as the arrangement of condition for collection and analysis of data in a manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure. The research design helps researcher in testing the hypotheses by reaching valid and objective conclusions regarding the relationship between independent and dependent variables. According to Ray and Mondal (1999), there arc three types of widely used research design like (i) exploratory or formulative (ii) descriptive and diagnostic and (iii) hypothesis-testing or experimental research design. The descriptive and diagnostic research design was used in the present study. Descriptive research design helps in stating characteristics of a particular situation, ' group or individuals and used for fact finding with appropriate interpretation. Diagnostic or analytical research design helps in testing of hypothesis and specifying and interpreting relationship of variables.

3.2 Unit of analysis The unit of analysis is the most elementary part of the phenomenon to be studied. It influences the research design, data collection and data analysis decisions. Adult male and female trained group member of Integrated Crop Management (ICM) club unit analysis of present study.

3.4

Locale of the study

The study was conducted in 5 upazila of 5 district under the running projects of ICM under DAE . The name of the upazila and distric are : Chandpur sadar upazila under Chandpur district, Daudkandi upazila under Comilla district, Balabo upazila under Narshingdi district, Babuganj upazila under Barisal district and Muktagacha upazila under Mymensingh district.The locale of the study was selected on the basis of intensity of eco-friendly practices.

Fig.2. Map of Bangladesh showing the location of the study area

Fig.3. Map of Chandpur sadar showing the location of the study area

Fig.4. Map of Daudkandi upazila of Comilla district showing the location of the study area

Fig.5. Map of Balabo upazila of Narsingdi district showing the location of the study area

Fig.6. Map of Babuganj upazila of Barisal district showing the location of the study area

Fig.7. Map of Muktagacha upazila of Mymensingh district showing the location of the study area 3.4. Population and sampling method In this piece of research for respondents, multistage random sampling technique was usedFive district(Chandpur , Comilla , Narshingdi , Barisal and Mymensingh ) was selected purposively.Firstly,one upazila from each district were selected randomly.The selected uopazila were Chandpur sadar , Daudkandi , Balabo , Babuganj Barisal and Muktagacha . Secondly, four ICM club from each upazila were selected randomly. Finally 160 ICM farmers (8 from each club) were selected randomly as sample of the sytudy. Twenty numbers of ICM farmers were selected for reserve list.

A flow chart showing step by step procedure of selecting the study area is presented in figure 8 below: Five districts were selected purposively (Narshingdi, Comilla, Barisal, Mymensingh and Chandpur)

Five upazilas (one from each district) were selected at random

Twenty ICM club (four from each upazila) were selected at random

A sample of one hundred sixty of ICM farmers were (eight from each ICM club) selected at random Figure 8. Flow chart showing the selection of the study area and sampling procedure Table 1.

Distribution of the district, upazila, ICM club, and sample farmers

Name of Name of Name of the randomly selected club purposively Randomly selected selected district upazilas

No. of the ICM Reserved farmers List selected randomly

Narshingdi

8

1

8

1

8

1

8 32

1 4

8 8 8 8 32

1 1 1 1 4

8

1

8

1

Sub-Total Comilla

Belabo

Daudkandi

* Bajnabo ICM club, * Harisangan purbo para ICM club, *Patuli Akata ICM club, *Rahimar Kandi ICM club. * Dakhin Bhabanipur ICM club, *Daulatekandi ICM club, *Minardia ICM club, *Paikar Chak ICM club.

Sub-Total

-

-

Barisal

Babugonj

*Basgari ICM club, *Paschim Mohishadi ICM club, * MadhyaPangsha ICM club,

* Purbo Chandipur ICM club.

Sub-Total Mymensingh

Sub-Total Chandpur

Sub-Total Grand Total

Muktagacha

Chandpur Sadar

-

* Chapuria Uttar Para ICM club, * Goari Purbo Para ICM club, * Goari Dakhin Para ICM club * Ramvadrapur ICM club

* Bishnupur ICM club, * Dkhin Brahman Shakua ICM club, * Dighirpur ICM club, * Shilundia ICM club.

-

8

1

8

1

32 8

4 1

8

1

8

1

8 32 8

1 4 1

8 8 8 32 160

1 1 1 4 20

3.5 Tools and methods of data collection Primary, secondary, quantitative and qualitative data was accumulated for the present study.

For collecting primary data at household level a pre-designed interview schedule was developed with balanced combination of both closed and open-ended questions and the same was pre-tested before finalization..For ICNM project, Participatory rural Appraisal (PRA) Tools and techniques like Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Case study were applied. According to SEAGA (2002), Focus Group Discussion is a social survey method that identifies the reasons for existing activates and behavior and patterns of a particular activity, identifies changes from the men or women perspectives, the obstacles to change, and such change might be facilitated 2 FGDs and 2 case studies were administered in intensive used eco-friendly practiced areas.

To assess the impact of eco-friendly agricultural practices some of the key informant namely local leader, NGO workers, extension agents and secretary/president of ICM club wereused.

3.6 Development of data gathering instrument In order to collect relevant information from the respondents an interview schedule was carefully designed keeping the objectives of the study in view. The schedule contained both open and closed form questions. The questions were arranged systematically for easy understanding. A research instrument is usually valid when the objectives of the study are reflected in the instrument. Babbie (1986) defined validity as a descriptive term used for a measure that accurately reflects the concept that is intended to be measured.

According to Openhenim (1966), a panel of expert should be selected to agree on the content validity of the instrument which is of essence and necessity to be based on experts'

judgments. Thus a panel of 10 numbers expert including university teachers, researchers, project directors of DAE were employed for content validity test of interview schedule. Borg and Gall (1979) indicated that a researcher should pilot test the instrument with a sample of individuals similar to the group one wishes to use in the research before using the instrument in the actual study.

Ary and Razarieh (1990) described the reliability of a measuring instrument as the degree of consistency with which an instrument measures what is supposed to measure. According to Cronbach (1951) measuring the internal consistency of a scale is a mathematical test using Kinder-Richardson formula that results in an estimation of average correlation (alpha) of all possible split-halves of a particular scale. In this study, Cronback's alpha procedure was used to obtain reliability of the items in the interview schedule. Borg and Gall (1979) pointed out that same studies can be conducted satisfactorily with an instruments reliability of 0.75.

Therefore, the reliability of this instrument was acceptable by reliability coefficient would attribute near 0.75. The final version of the interview schedule was revised on the basis of pre-test experience reliability analysis and the suggestions and comments given by the panel of experts.

3.7

Collection of data

Systematic field work is an impanel aspect of socio-economic survey research. In this context, in depth survey and necessary efforts were given lo make the field work successful and realistic, Data was collected by the researcher himself. The researcher took utmost care to establish rapport with the respondents, so that they did not feel hesitant or hostile to furnish proper responses to the questions of the interview schedule. The questions were explained and clarified whenever any respondent feel difficulty in understanding them properly. If the researcher failed to meet the selected respondent after visiting his/her household for a couple of days, then the researcher selected the respondent from the reserve list.

3.8

Measurement of selected characteristics

Tie selected characteristics age, education, family size, farm size, training on eco-friendly practices, utilization of Training knowledge, organizational participation, contact with information sources, annual family income, cosmopoliteness, decision making ability, marketing opportunity and benefit obtained from eco-friendly practice of the respondentswere measured by following standard scales and discussed below: 3.8.1

Age

The age of an individual is one of the most important factors pertaining to his/her personality make up which may play an important role in realizing impact of any programs. The age of a respondent was measured in terms of years from the date of birth to the time of interviewing.

(Item no -1, Appendix A) 3.8.2

Education

Education of an individual helps him/her in acquiring information and knowledge from reading books, newspapers, leaflets and other printed materials to solve multifarious problems in day to day life, If broadens the capacity of understanding and judgment.

Measuring unit was schooling years and operationalization was direct question (Item no -2, Appendix A) 3.8.3

Family size

It refers to the total number of the family members of the respondent's family including him/her.Measuring unit of family size was number of family members and operationalization was direct question (Item no -3, Appendix A).

3.8.4

Farm size

Land is the most important capital to a farm family and the farm size was influenced on many’ personal characteristics of a farmer. It may be an important factor which mny influence the realization of impact of any programme. Since differences in farm size may necessitate different types of quantities of information. The farm size of the respondent includes the total cultivated area either owned by a respondent or his/her family obtained from others on share cropping system or taken from others as lease where she/he used to do his/her farming operations during the period of this study. The farm size of the respondent was computed in hectares by following the most commonly used mathematical expression as given below. (Item no -4, Appendix A) Fs = a + b+ l/2(c + d)-e + f +g +h Where, Fs = farm size a = homestead area b = cultivated area owned by a respondent c = cultivated area shared out d = cultivated area shared in e = cultivated area leased out f= cultivated area leased in g= pond h=f allow land 3.8.5 Training on eco-friendly agricultural practice An individual may receive training on any aspects of life i.e. organic farming, integrated nutrient management, ICM etc. It was measured by asking closed questions keeping the provision of 'yes' or ‘no' answers. (Item no -5, Appendix A) 3.8.6

Utilization of training knowledge

It was measured by employing a 4-point rating scale as unutilized (used none of the training knowledge) = 0, poorly utilized (used most of training knowledge partially) = 01, utilized moderately (used most of the training knowledge moderately) = 02, and utilized adequately (used most of the training knowledge fully) = 03. (Item no -6, Appendix A) 3.8.7

Organizational participation

Organizational participation of respondent was measured on the basis of the nature of his involvement and duration of participation in different organization found operating at present.

For computing organizational participation score a formula used by Parveen (1995) was followed. The formula was : Organizational participation score: ÎŁ AXD

Where, 3.8.8

A D

= Activities Score = Duration Score

(Item no -7, Appendix A

Contact with the sources of information

Respondents contact with different information sources and media channel to a different extent in order to receive information and their exposure to variety of information sources usually guide them to adopt an innovation.

Individual local contact of a respondent was measured in terms of his extent of contact with 3 different types of local individuals. NGO (Non-Government Organization) contact of a respondent was measured in terms of his extent of contact with 3 different officials of NGO. GO (Government Organization) contact of a respondent was measured in terms of his extent of contact with 3 different GO officials. Group contact of a respondent was measured in terms of his extent of contact with 4 selected group communication media.

Mass contact of a respondent was measured in terms of his extent of contact with 7 selected mass contact of a respondent. So total item of source contact were 3+3+3+4+7 = 20 and 4, 3,2,1,0 weights was assigned for measuring each item of a respondent .Finally,source of contact score of a respondent was computed by summing up all the item scores obtained by him. Therefore, source contact of a respondent ranged from 0 to 80, 0 indicated no contact and 80 indicated very high contact and computed score ranged from 20 to 64 (Item-8, Appendix-A).

3.8.9

Annual family income

An individual may have got earnings from the different sources like agriculture (farming), business, service etc. Income earneds by an individual from different sources was measured in taka‘000’ (Item no –9, Appendix A).

3.8.10 Cosmopolitcncss Cosmopoliteness referred to the degree to which an individual was oriented external to his own social system. Cosmopoliteness score of a respondent was determined in terms of his extent of visit to 8 different places outside his own social system. Cosmopoliteness of a respodent was measured by using 5 point rating scale. 4, 3,2,1,0 weights weres assigned for measuring most often, often, sometimes, rarely and never cosmopoliteness of a respondent.

Finally cosmopoliteness score of an individual was computed by summing all the scores obtained by him for eight different categories of places. Thus cosmopoliteness score of a respondent could range from 0 to 32, where 0 indicated no cosmopoliteness and 32 indicated very high cosmopoliteness and computed score ranged from 0 to 20. (Item no –10, Appendix A) 3.8.11 Decision making ability Decision making ability of a respondent was measured by using a 3-point rating scale. Each respondent was asked to indicate the extent of his decision making ability in each of the six (6) selected items by checking any one of the responses viz. 'decision making by alone', 'decision making with family members', and 'decision making with others outside the family'.

The weights were assigned to the responses as 3, 2 and 1 for decision making by alone, decision making with family members and decision making with others outside the family respectively. Finally decision making ability score of a respondent was computed by summing up his all the scores for his responses to all the items. (Item no –11, Appendix A)

3.8.12 Marketing opportunity Marketing opportunity of a respondent was measured by using a 4 point rating scale.

Marketing opportunity of was considered to be very suitable for the five item statement and their assigning score was0, 1,2,3,4, for very low/bad, low/bad, medium, high/good, very high/good respectively. Marketing opportunity was determined by summing up all the scores of all the responses of a respondent. Thus, the computed marketing opportunity score of a respondent ranged from 0-20 against the possible range 0to 20, where 0 indicated very low/bad marketing opportunity and 20 indicated very high/good marketing opportunity.

(Item no –12, Appendix A) 3.8.13 Benefit obtained from practicing eco-friendly agriculture For measuring the benefits obtained from eco-friendly agriculture, items containing social, environmental, technical, economical, and psychological benefits were selected after through consultation with the extension experts, researchers and from other available sources. A total of 28 items of benefits containing 6 social, 8 environmental, 11 technical and economical, and 3 psychological items was arranged in the scale in order to have real feelings on benefits obtained from eco-friendly practices in agriculture.

The nature of responses of the respondents to the items were 'high benefit', 'medium benefit', 'little benefit' and 'not at all benefit' and scores were assigned as 3, 2, 1, 0 respectively. Score of benefits obtained from ecological agriculture of a respondent as perceived by him was determined by adding up all the scores for all the responses of the items of that respondent.

The possible range of score of benefits was obtained from eco-friendly practices in agriculture of a respondent was 0 -84, where 0 indicated not at all benefit and 84 indicated large benefit from eco-friendly practices in agriculture. (Item no –13, Appendix A) 3.9

Measurement of the impact of eco-friendly practice

The impact of eco-friendly practice in crop production was the dependent variable of the study. This impact or change may be emerged from diversified ways. But in the present study, only knowledge, attitude and adoption practice of the respondents was considered to measure impact of the use of eco- friendly practice in crop production.

3.9.1

Measurement of knowledge

Eco- friendly agricultural knowledge containing 24 items were done on the basis Blooms (1996). Revised taxonomy by Anderson and krathwohi (2001). The items contain questions each of remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating and creating about eco-friendly agricultural practices. All the questions included in the scale for measurement of knowledge level was deemed to be relevant to, eco-friendly agricultural practices. Each question was assigned 2 marks, for partial answer half mark (i.e. 01). In case of incorrect answers a score of ‘0” (zero) was assigned. This procedure was applied both for before and after their participation in the eco- friendly practice. Hence, eco-friendly agricultural knowledge could range from 0-48. Where ‘0’ indicate no knowledge and, 48’ indicate very high knowledge about eco-friendly practice and .The mean knowledge differences between after being involved in the practices and before involved in the practices was tested by administering t-test. (Item no –14, Appendix A)

3.9.2

Measurement of attitude

Attitude of the respondent towards the use of eco-friendly agricultural practices and related issues were measured by a scale using 16 items related eco-friendly agricultural practices.

The scale comprised of both positive and negative items. The items included in the scale were selected based on judges’ rating and pre-test result following formula suggested by Edwards (1957). A 5-point Likert type rating scale was applied for each of the item- statement namely ‘strongly agree’, ‘agree’, ‘undecided’ ‘disagree’ and ‘strongly disagree. In case of positive item, score 04, 03, 02, 01 and 0 was assigned for the responses of ‘strongly agree’, ‘agree’, ‘undecided’, ‘disagree’ and ‘strongly disagree’, respectively. The reverse procedure was followed in assigning weight for a response of negative item statements. Respondents’ attitude about eco-friendly was measured both for before and after their participation in ecofriendly agricultural practices. Thus, attitudinal score of a respondent could range from 0-64 where ‘0’ indicated very unfavorable attitude and ‘64’ indicated very favorable attitude about eco-friendly practice and computed score ranged from 0 to 64. The mean attitudinal differences between before and after involvement were tested by administering t-test (Item no –15, Appendix A).

3.9.3

Measurement of adoption of eco-friendly practices

Adoption of the respondents regarding the use of eco-friendly agricultural practices and related issues was measured by using 24 items related eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Four type of rating scale was applied for each the item statement namely, No adoption, low adoption, medium adoption and high adoption and score 0,01,02,03 assigned for the responses of no adoption, low adoption, medium adoption and high adoption respectively.

Thus adoption score of a respondent could range from 0 to 72, 0 indicated no adoption and 72 indicated very high adoption about eco-friendly agricultural practicesand computed score ranged from 20 to 72. The mean adoption differences between before and after involvement were tested by administering t-test.

(Item no –16, Appendix A) In order to have a comparative understanding, based on descending order of adoption index (AI), rank order was made among ecological nutrient management practices and ecological pest management practices separately. (Item no –16, Appendix A) 3.10

Impact on eco-friendly practices for livelihood change

It was measured in terms of change in the following aspects Agricultural parameters i)

Use of modern variety of seeds

ii)

Ownership of irrigation facilities

iii)

Homestead vegetable garden size

iv)

Livestock and poultry ownership

Socio-economic parameters v) Food and Nutrition status

vi)

Ownership of modern opportunities

vii)

Ownership of agril-implements

3.10.1. Use of modern variety of seeds Use of modern variety of seed is essential to get higher yield of any crop. The modern variety used under different crops is an important indicator to measure impact which was presented in a tabular form by percentage. The increased rate of modern varieties under different crops for higher yield was determined by the change of percentage overtime. The important crops considered under this parameter were Rice (aman), Rice (boro), Wheat, Potato and Mustard ( item no.17 (i). Appendix- A). The modern varieties under the crops are given below: Name of crops

AvailablemModern varieties

Rice (aman)

BR3,4,5,10,11,22,23,25.

30,31,32,33,34,37,38,39,40,41.

Rice (boro)

BR-1,2,3,6,7,8,9,12,14,15,16,17,18,19, 28,29,35,36.

Wheat

Khanchan, Akbar, Agrani, Protiva, Saurov, Gourab

Potato

Cardinal, Diamond, Multa, Patrncs, Hira, Kuprisundhari

Mustard

Tori-7, Sonali (SS-75), Kallania (TS-72), Daulat, Dhali, Rai.

3.10.2.

BRRI BRRI

DhanDhan-

Ownership of irrigation facilities

Irrigation system of Bangladesh may be divided into three categories, such as large scale, minor irrigation system and indigenous system. The large scale irrigation system is managed

by Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). The minor irrigation system at present is managed by farmers privately. This system operates irrigation by means Deep Tubewell (DTW), Low Lift Psump (LLP) and Shallow Tubewell (STW). Indigenous system is also managed by farmers themselves. Indigenous system utilizes tubewell, treadle pump, etc.

Ownership of different irrigation facilities by the respondents was presented a tabular form for both the periods (item no.17 (ii). Appendix- A) the increased rate of ownership under different facilit es was determined by the change of percentage overtime.

3.10.3 Homestead vegetable garden size Traditionally in each homestead in the villages have some vegetables garden or fruits garden in the country.We have one corer eighteen lakh homestead. Proper development of these homestead are essential for our agricultural development. The development of homestead garden in respect of number of vegetables grown and area utilized was presented in a tabular form (item no.17 (iii). Appendix- A). The increased rate of the use of the homestead area was determined by the change of percentage over time.

3.10.4 Ownership livestock and poultry

Recently farmers have shown keen interest in rearing cattle intensively for the milk production at private sector. A number of farmers in various part of our country established mini dairy farms for producing milk commercially to their local market as well as to the Dhaka City. Motivating the farmers to develop their dairy and poultry farm is one of the important tasks of the Government and Non-Government extension providers. The numbers of ownership of livestock and poultry were determined as indicators of development and have been presented in a tabular form for both the periods (item no.17 (iv). Appendix- A) the increased number of livestock and poultry was determined by the change of percentage overtime. The following types of livestock and poultry were included in the study: Type of livestock

Type of poultry

Cattle

Chicken

Buffalo

Duck

Goat/Sheep

Pigeon

3.10.5 Food/nutrition status The respondents were directly asked to indicate about the food/nutrition status of their family which was available for consumption per week for both the periods (Hasan and Alam, 2002). The changes regarding the availability of food was determined by the difference of percentage of availability overtime ( item no.17 (v). Appendix- A). Only the important foods like egg, milk, meat and fish was considered in this piece of research.

3.10.6 Ownership of modern opportunities The ownership of modern opportunities of the respondent was determined based on use of exposure to some of the selected household items singly or combined. The selected household items for the small farmers’ level were possession of radio, television, bi-cycle, ceiling fan, and hand sewing machine. The respondents were asked directly to mention the items used for both the periods ( item no.17 (vi). Appendix- A).The increase of ownership were determined the change of opportunities overtime and were expressed in percentage.

(Rumi and Rana 2003).

3.10.7 Oswnership of agril-implements The ownership of agril-implements of the respondent were determined based on the use of some selected agricultural implements. The selected implements for the small farmer’s level were the possession of the following items. The respondents were asked directly to mention the items utilized ( item no.17 (vii). Appendix- A). The change of ownership of the items overtime indicated the positive change.

3.11

Problems faced in using of eco-friendly agricultural practices

For measuring problems faced in used of eco-friendly agricultural practices, items containing social, technical, economical, marketing and psychological problems were selected after

thorough consultation with the extension experts, researchers and from other available sources. Twenty eight items of problems were selected and arranged in the scale in order to have real feelings on problems.

The nature of responses of the respondents to the items were 'large problem, moderate problem, less problem and not at all problem and the scores were assigned as 3, 2, 1, 0 respectively. Problems faced in use of eco-friendly practices in agriculture score of a respondent were determined by adding up all the scores for all the responses of the items of that respondent. (Appendix- A, item no.18).

3.12

Statistical tests used

Data gathered through direct interviewing was coded for processing and analysis. The SPSS/PC+ computer program was used to perform the data analysis. Statistics like frequency counts and percentages as well as mean and standard deviation were calculated for the descriptive data. Paired-t-test was used to test the significant difference for before and after situation. Co-efficients of correlation was computed to find out the relationship between the change in knowledge, attitude and adoption practice of the respondents and their selected characteristics. To assess the significant contributing factors regression (multiple and stepwise) analysis was used.

CHAPTER IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION This chapter is one of the most important parts of any research report. The findings of the study and its interpretation were presented systematically and logically in this chapter. In accordance with the objectives of the study this chapter is presented in five interrelated subheads. First sub-head showed the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents.

Second sub-head shown the findings related to impact of eco-friendly practice on the change in i) knowledge, ii) attitude, iii) adoption, (iv)adoption practices and (v) livelihood change of the respondents. The third sub-head showed the relationship between selected sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents and change in their knowledge, attitude and adoption of eco-friendly practices. While the fourth sub-head shown the contributions of the selected socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents on change in their knowledge, attitude and adoption of eco-friendly practices. The last sub-head showed the results of qualitative data analysis.

4.1 Socio-demographic profile of the respondents Any development program sponsored and supported by government organizations basically depends upon the socio-demographic characteristics of each program beneficiaries. It facilitates easy comparison and contrast of the findings of previous similar independent researches. The socio-demographic profiles of the eco-friendly project related beneficiaries were thrashed out in this section. It was because of how those features influenced and were connected with the change of knowledge, attitude and adoption of the project beneficiaries.

The socio-demographic profile includes variables like age, education, family size, farm size, training on eco-friendly agril, utilization of training knowledge, organizational participation, source of information, annual income, cosmopoliteness, decision making ability, credit need, marketing opportunity, benefit obtained from eco-friendly practices of the respondents.

4.1.1 Age According to Smith and Zope (1970) an individual’s age is one of the most important factors pertaining to his personality make up, since his need and the way in which he thinks and behaves are all closely related to the number of years he has lived. Age of the farmers of the study area ranged from 16 years to 51 years above with an average of 44.87 years and a standard deviation of 13.50. Based on age, the farmers were classified into three categories such as, young aged, middle aged and old aged categories. The distribution of farmers on the basis of their age has been presented in Table 2.

Table 2. Distribution of the respondents according to their age Age Category

Respondents Number Young (16-35) 32 Middle age (36- 81 50) Old (51 and 47 above) Total 160

Percent 20.0 50.6

Mean

Standard deviation

44.87

13.50

29.4 100.0

Data contained in Table 2 indicated that almost half (50.6 percent) of the farmers were in middle aged category compared to nearly one fifth (20.0%) being in young and about oneforth (29.4 percent) in old aged category. Almost similar findings were also reflected in the study of Bhuiyan (1987), Islam (1997), Sarker (1997) and Safiqul (2000). Younger farmers generally tend to have broader outlook and have much social as well as mass media contact than the older farmers. It helps them to become more aware and conscious about agricultural and environmental issues as well as to develop favorable attitude towards the proper use of eco-friendly practice on the other hand, in our rural society, an individual usually settles down with farming or any other profession independently during middle age and continues long time up to the old age.

Study made by Copp et al. (1958) revealed that older farmers seemed to be less inclined to adopt new practices than younger ones with middle aged group having the highest adoption score. Further, study conducted by Feliciano (1968) revealed that farmers in their forties were more respective to new ideas and they were also the highest adopters of certain practices introduced by the technicians. In this study vast majority of the farmers felt under young and middle aged category. Hence both GOs and NGOs should give due attention to these farmers in order to achieve greater success in their mission.

These facts imply that more training and non-formal education may be arranged by the concerned agencies for the young and middle-aged farmers in order to achieve desired benefits in respect of agricultural development, more specifically on sustainable and environment-friendly agricultural development.

4.1.2 Education The education scores of the farmers ranged from zero (0) to 15 with an average of 4.68 and a standard deviation 4.09. The farmers, on the basis of their education scores, were classified

into four categories, such as, illiterate, primary level, secondary and above secondary level.

Distribution of the farmers according to their level of education is exhibited in Table 3.

Table 3. Distribution of the respondents according to their education Category

Respondents Number 44 48 50

Illiterate (0) Primary (1-5) Secondary (6-10) HSC and above 18 (11and +) Total 160

Percent 27.5 30.0 31.3

Mean

Standard deviation

4.68

4.09

11.3 100.0

Data in Table 3. shows that nearly one-fourth (27.5%) of the respondents were illiterate compared to 30 percent having primary level of education, 31.3 percent of secondary level education and only 11.3 percent were above secondary level. The above data indicated that more than half (72.6 percent) of the respondents are literate. This literacy rate of the respondents is much higher than the national average which is at present 65.5 percent (BBS, 2010) Similar findings were reported by Majydyan (1996), Islam (1996), and Hoque (1993).

Data also revealed that 61.3 percent of the farmers had primary or secondary level of education compared to only a few (11.3 percent) having above secondary level of education.

Halim (1982) in a study of the contribution of schooling in agricultural production indicated that farmers up to the secondary level of education contribute positively to farm production, Education develops mental and psychological ability of a person to understand, decide and adopt new ideas and practices.

It also helps farmers to increase their power of observation and decision-making ability.

Educated farmers generally like to have higher exposure to differently information sources and have higher social participation. Conversely, these farmers are also less fatalistic.

Thus, education helps farmers to broaden their outlook and expand their horizon of knowledge. Consequently an educated farmer can be considered as rational in his thinking and evaluation. Hence, it is expected that education is the most important factor in determining farmers’ to use eco-friendly agricultural practice in crop production.

4.1.3 Family Size Family size of the farmers ranged from 1 to 19 members with an average of 5.93 and a standard deviation of 2.20. The farmers on the basis of their family size, were classified into four categories, such as, small, medium, big and large. The distribution of farmers according to their family size is shown in Table 4 Table 4. Distribution of the respondents according to their family size Category Small (1-3)

Respondents Number 11

Mean Percent 6.9

Standard deviation

Medium (4-6) Big (7-9) Large (10+) Total

102 32 15 160

63.8 20.0 9.4 100.0

5.93

2.20

Data contained in Table 4 revealed that the highest proportion (63.8 percent) of the respondents had medium family size compared to 6.9 percent having small, 20 percent big and 9.4 percent large family size. The data also indicated that average family size (5.93) of the farmers were slightly higher than the national average of 5.4 (BBS, 2010). An overwhelming majority of (93.2) the respondents in the study area had medium to large family size. This finding has found to be similar with the findings of Sarkar (1997) and Rahman (1997).

4.1.4 Farm size The results shown in the following Table imply that 41.9 percent of the respondents belonged to the landless category while 27 percent of them small size farm category. Thirteen point eight percent of the respondents belonged to marginal farm group followed by 14.4 percent medium group and only very tiny portion of them (2.5) felt in large sized farm category.

Table 5. Distribution of the respondents according to their fram size Category Landless (Upto .2 hec) Marginal (.21-.6) Small (.601-1) Medium (1.01-3) Large (3.01+) Total

Respondents Number 67

Percent 41.9

22

13.8

44 23

27.5 14.4

4 160

2.5 100.0

Mean

Standard deviation

0.74

0.98

In Bangladesh, average farm size of each farm family is 0.81 ha as compared to 0.74 ha in the study area (DAE, 2010). It specifies that farm holdings of the study areas were smaller than that of national average. It implies that more housing and road facilities occupied some cultivable land of the studty area/.

4.1.5

Training on eco-friendly agricultural practices

After involvement in the project the respondents had the training on eco-friendly practice with an average 0.90 and standard deviation 0.30. It is generally expected that training on eco-friendly practice may provide an individual with eco-friendly related current knowledge.

Table 6. Distribution of the respondents according to their training on eco-friendly agriculture

Category Yes =1 No = 00 Total

Respondents Number 144 16 160

Percent 90.0 10.0 100.0

Mean

Standard deviation

0.90

0.30

Findings presented in Table 6 indicate that 10 percent of the respondents did not have any training related to eco-friendly practices and concerned issues at all. On the other hand 90 percent of them had training related to eco-friendly practice pertinent issues (Table 8).

Therefore, a big majority of the respondents have any eco-friendly related training which might be one of the causes of their sufficient knowledge on eco-friendly practices and related issues after their participation in ICM Project.Itimplies that eco-friendly agricultural training enriched the fermers to run the project activities.

4.1.6

Training use

Utilization of training knowledge is one of the vitally important and potential issues of human capital. The objectives of any eco-friendly related training program is the proper utilization of that very knowledge received.

Table 7. Distribution of the respondents according to their utilization of training knowledge Category Full (3) Medium (2) Poor (1) No (0) Total

Respondents Number 48 96 11 5 160

Percent 30.0 60.0 6.9 3.1 100.0

Mean

Standard deviation

2.17

0.68

It helps an individual to practice the eco-friendly activities properly. Findings presented in Table 7 indicated that 30 percent of the respondents made full use of their training knowledge, 60 percent made medium use, followed by 6.9 percent made poor use, while 3.1 percent of the respondents did not make any use of their training knowledge not make any use of their training knowledge.It implies that 90% of the respondents of the studty area used medium to full training knowledge.

4.1.7

Organization participation

Organizational participation facilitates a person to work with group. It increases capability of under taking responsibility. The social participation scores of the respondents possible range was from 0 to 72 and completed ranged 0-66 with an average of 32.63 and standard deviation 15.35. On the basis of social participation scores, the respondents were classified into 3 categories, such as, low social participation, medium social participation and high social participation categories. The distribution of the respondents on the basis of their social participation is demonstrated in Table 8.

Table 8. Distribution of the respondents according to their organizational participation

Category Low participation (0-20) Medium participation (21-40) High participation (41+) Total

Respondents Number 32

Mean

Standard deviation

32.63

15.35

Percent 20

96

60

32

20

160

100

Data presented in Table 8 shows that 60 percent of the respondents had medium organizational participation.

While 20 percent of them had high level of organizational participation and the exactly same portion of them (20%) showed low level organizational participation. It means that 80% of them had low to medium level of organizational participation. These farmers may face problems in using modern agricultural technologies due to lack of considerable contact with the other members of their society. For sustainable agricultural development.It implies that the government should strengthen different mass media programs to create awareness among that section respondents and also to removes doubts that may be raised due to lack of proper reflection.

4.1.8

Source of information

Extension contract used by respondent farmers possible range from 0 to 80 and completed range 20-64 with an average of 49.68 and a standard deviation of 13.24. Based on information sources use scores farmers were classified into three categories such as, low use, medium use and high use shown in Table 9 Table 9. Distribution of the respondents according to their source of information Category Low contact (Upto 40) Medium contact (41-60) High (61+) Total

Respondents Number 40

Percent 25

104

65

contact 16 160

Mean

Standard deviation

49.68

13.24

10 100

Data in Table 9 indicated that the highest proportion (65 percent) of the respondents fell in medium extension contact category, 20 percent in the low information sources used category and only 10 percent in the high information sources used category. Respondents generally become aware of modern agricultural technologies and environmental issues regarding ecofriendly practices having access to and by coming in contact with various informations. The findings, however, revealed that an overwhelming majority of (90 percent) of the respondents

had low to medium information sources used. Obviously these farmers were not properly aware of the modern crop production technologies and eco-friendly environmental context.It implies that concerned extension agencies and government organizations dealing with the mass media need to take cognizance of these facts and should take necessary steps to increase the information media contact of the farmers. The use of information sources is one of the very important components in awaring respondents in respect of various agricultural development issues.

Table 10. Rank order of the respondents according to their Contact with the source of Information Individuals/sources.

Extent of contact with weights for Index frequencies farmers/ 124 26 8 2 0 574

1 . Neighbour friends/relatives 2. Group leaders (eg.CIG) 3. Input dealers/ Opinion leaders NGO Personnel

68 118

63 25

15 12

10 4

5 1

4. General body personnel

16

40

46

35

5. Executive body personnel 6. General administration GO Personnel 7 . Sub Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAO) 8. Upazilla level Agriculture Officers 9. District or above Level Agricultural Officers Media (Group Contact)

13 12

17 18

33 28

125

17

13

Rank order 2*

3**

503 575

3 1

4 2

23

311

1

14

31 31

66 71

200 189

2 3

19 20

13

7

1

591

1

1

51

51

19

26

326

2

12

14

24

31

35

56

225

3

18

10 . Group meeting 11. Farmers' field day 12. Method demonstration Meeting 13. Result demonstration meeting Media (Mass Contact) 14 . Radio 15. Television 16. Daily newspapers 17. Leaflet/folder /Posters

11 26 78

102 90 36

26 23 22

6 6 19

15 15 5

306 322 489

4 3 2

15 13 7

73

53

22

4

8

499

1

5

80 68 16 19

42 46 75 71

21 26 31 31

8 13 16 21

9 7 22 18

496 475 367 372

1 2 4 3

6 8 10 9

18. Fairs/ Exhibition 19. Folk media 20. Magazine

17 19 19

57 42 27

36 36 28

28 23 42

22 40 44

339 297 257

5 6 7

11 16 17

Table 10 Indicates that the rank order of the computed was 189-591 against the possible range 0-640 and rank order of the respondents got the highest score (591) and item statement is‘Sub Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAO)’ and ranked first. Rank order of the respondents got the second highest score (575) and item statement is ‘Input dealers/ Opinion leaders’ and rank second. Accordingly‘Neighbour farmers/ friends/relatives’ ‘Group leaders (eg.CIG)’, , ‘Result demonstration meeting’and‘‘. Radio’ got the score (574), (503), (499), (496) and ranked 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th respectively. Among the group (Individuals/sources).

‘Input dealers/ Opinion leaders’ got the highest score (575) and rank first. group (NGO personnel) ‘General body personnel’ got the highest score (311) and rank first. Group (GO personnel) ‘Sub Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAO)’ got the highest score (591) and rank first. Group media (Group Contact) ‘Result demonstration meeting’ got the highest score (499) and rank first. Group Media (Mass Contact) ‘Radio’ got the highest score (496).

Therefore comparatively Result demonstration meeting the lower ranked item statements should give the emphasis by the GO, NGO and others govt. to change and improve their situation for the farmers. So that the farmers can get proper information when need and necessary.

4.1.9

Annual family income

Annual family income of the respondents had ranged from 25 to 200 thousand with an average 76.45 and standard deviation 39.22. Money is the most powerful, influential and potential component that determines level of status of an individual in his/her society. It is well known that the higher is the income of a family, the greater is the control over the society by that family. Findings in Table 11 show that about half (45.6%) of the respondents belonged to the low income group followed by 45 percent of them medium and 9.4 percent under high income categories.

Table 11. Distribution of the respondents according to their annual incomes Category

Respondents Number Low income 73 (Upto 55) ‘000’ in Tk. Medium 72 income (55-110) High income 15 (111*) Total 160

Mean

Standard deviation

76.45

39.22

Percent 45.6 45.0 9.4 100.0

Thus, a huge mass of them (90.6%) were under low to medium annual family income categories.It implies that GOs , NGOsand other agencies should come forward for increasing more income generating avctivities of the study area.

4.1.10 Cosmopoliteness

Cosmopoliteness score of the respondents ranged from 0-20 against the possible range of zero (0) to 32. The mean and standard deviation were 3.41 and 4.29, respectively. On the basis of the cosmpoliteness scores the respondent farmers were grouped into three categories (Table 12).

Table 12. Distribution of the respondents according to their cosmopoliteness Category

Respondents Number Percent 139 86.9 16 10.0

Low cosmopliteness (0-8) Medium cosmopliteness (915) High cosmopliteness (16+) Total

5 160

Mean

Standard deviation

3.41

4.29

3.1 100.0

Data furnished in the Table 12 indicates that highest proportion (86.9 percent) of the respondents had low cosmopoliteness as compared to 10.0 percent medium and 3.1 percent had high cosmopoliteness. Table 12 also revealed that only 13.1 percent of the respondents were under medium to high cosmopoliteness. This might be due to the fact that Lack of road transport and communication network. Rural communication system has not so improved much which unable the rural people to keep them in close contact with upzilla, district headquarters and other places. Rogers and Svenning (1969) stated that peasant must have contact with outside world in some manner before he becomes a cosmopolite. Physical transport facilities such as roads and public bus service provide the possibility for actual peasant contact with the world out side his village.It implies that Individuals who are cosmopolite frequently come in contact with new people, new things and new ideas. Cosmopoliteness thus beings a change in the mental makes up of the people and make them more respective for new ideas Table13.

Rank order of the respondents according to their cosmopoliteness score

Places of visit

Extent of visit

Index

Rank order

Most Often (4) 1 .

House of 8 relatives/friends outside own village

Often(3)

Sometim es(2)

Rare (1)

Never (0)

20

16

69

47

193

1

2.

Local (Market)

13

18

41

86

124

2

Upazila 0

7

15

22

116

73

3

4. Other Upazilas

0

3

13

15

129

50

4

5. Own District town

0

3

9

13

135

40

5

Hat/Bazar 2

3.

Own headquarter

6. Other District (except 0 Divisional city)

2

6

13

139

31

6

7. Divisional/Capital city,

0

0

4

11

145

19

7

8. Foreign country

0

0

2

8

150

12

8

Table 13. Indicated that the computed range was 12 to 193 against the possible range 0-640 and the place visited by the respondent and their rank order index got the highest score (193) for ‘House of relatives/friends outside own village’ comparatively ‘Local Hat/ Bazar (Market)’, ‘Own Upazila Headquarter’ and other upazilas got the scores (124), (73), (50), and ranked 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively. So the other cosmopoliteness places for the respondents are comparatively scored very low and ranked 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th respectively.

Therefore, the respondents have some limitations for communication and transport facilities and other facilities for rank serial 4-8 respectively.It implies that the authority should give the emphasis to increase the opportunities for the respondents to increase those aforesaid opportunities for increasing eco-friendly agricultural practices in the study area.

4.1.11 Decision making ability Decision making ability scores of the respondents ranged from 6 to 17 against the possible range of 6 to 18. Findings indicated in Fig-9 70 60 50 40 Series1 30

60

20 30 10 10 0 Low (up to ten)

Mediam (11-14)

High (15&avove)

Fig-9. Bar graph showing the decision making ability That majority (60 percent) of the respondents had medium decision making ability compared to 30 and 10 percent having low and high decision making ability respectively. This implies that more than 50% of the respondents had medium decision making ability.

Table 14.Rank order of the respondents according to their decision making ability (DMA) Items of decision making Extent of decision making Index Rank order Decisio Decision in Dcision in DMA n consultation consultation solely with family with

by own

members

outsiders

03 new 13

02 71

01 76

257

5

20

87

53

287

4

52

67

41

331

3

105 60

46 78

9 22

416 358

1 2

7

27

126

201

6

1) Rejection/adoption of agricultural technology 2) Buying of agricultural inputs (like seed, Plant, nutrient, irrigation equipment etc.)

3) Selling of agricultural commodities products 4) Personal or family affairs 5) Expenditure regarding education, clothing etc. for the children and family members 6) Participation in organizational/extension/ social activities

Table 14 Indicated that the computed rangewas 201-416 against the possible range 160-480 item of decision making ‘Personal of family affairs’ got the highest index score (416) and rank first. Comparatively ‘Expenditure regarding education, clothing etc. for the children and family members’, got the second highest sore (358) and rank second, ‘Selling of agricultural commodities products’ got the third highest score (331) and rank third.

‘Rejection/adoption new agricultural technology’ and ‘Participation in organizational/extension/social activities’ scored lowest respectively and rank 5th and 6th.

So regarding this items for the respondents decision making ability is very low. It implies that extension workers and other change agents of the GOs and NGOs. should provide training and other facilities for the respondents of the study area to increase their decision making ability regarding adoption of new agricultural technology and participation in organization/extension/social activities.

4.1.12 .Marketing opportunity Marketing opportunity score of the respondents were found to range from 1 to 20 against the possible range of zero (0) to 20 with an average 9.16 and standard deviation 4.90.

Table 15. Distribution of the respondents according to their marketing opportunity Category Low (Upto 8) Medium (9-15) High (16+) Total

Respondents Number Percent 73 45.6 76 47.5 11 6.9 160 100.0

Mean

Standard deviation

9.16

4.90

Data indicated (Table 15) that the highest proportion (47.5 percent) of the respondents belonged to medium marketing opportunity group compared to 45.6 and 6.9 percent having low and high marketing opportunity respectively.

Table 16. Rank order of the respondents according to their marketing opportunity index(MOI) Items Degree of facilities Index Rank order Very high/ good (4)

Hig Mediu h/go m od (2) (3)

Low /bed (1)

Very low/ bed (0)

MOI

Market value of agricultural 75 inputs

35

31

14

5

481

1

Market value of agricultural 30 commodities

50

37

22

21

366

2

Processing, storage facilities 7 of agricultural commodities produces

37

45

43

28

272

3

Roads and transport facilities 8 of agricultural commodities

20

46

37

49

221

4

Market value of the organic 4 agro product

10

25

43

78

139

5

Table 16 indicated that the computed range was 139-481 against possible range 0-640 and Marketing Opportunity Index of the respondents got the highest score (481) and ranked first regarding ‘Market value of agricultural inputs’. Compare to second highest score (366) and ranked second regarding ‘Market value of agricultural commodities’, but regarding ‘Roads and transport facilities of agricultural commodities’ and ‘Market value of the organic agro product’ got the lowest score (221), (139) and ranked 4th and 5th respectively. So the authority should be conscious and increase the budget for the facilities for road and transport side by side their should be established special market facilities for organic agro products like the other countries of the world to increase eco-friendly agricultural practices and produce organic agro-product.

4.1.13 Benefit obtained from eco-friendly practices

Benefits obtained from ecological agriculture score of the farmers was found to range from 0 to 75 against the possible range of zero (0) to 84 with an average of 45.43 and standard deviation 16.21.

Table 17. Distribution of the respondents according to their benefit obtained from ecofriendly practices Category Low (Upto 30) Medium (31-55) High (56+) Total

Respondents Number Percent 24 15.0 105 65.6 31 19.4 160 100.0

Mean

Standard deviation

45.43

16.21

Data indicated (Table 17) that highest proportion (65.6 percent) of the farmers obtained medium benefits from ecological agriculture compared to 15 percent and 19.4 percent who obtained low and high benefit respectively from ecological agriculture. It implies that the GOs and NGOs should give the emphasis to create scope and proper marketing facilities for agro productsso that the fermers can get more benefit from their produced products.

Table 18. Rank order of the respondents according to their obtained benefit index (BI) from eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Sl no

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Items of benefit

Social Benefits Though eco-friendly practices is social motivation factor so there developed the decision making ability.

Increased Participatory Technology Development (PTD) practice Through the training and motivation by the change agents there developed the knowledge and skill to use ITKs. Employment Opportunities increased through IFS. Knowledge and skill developed the organizational participation, meeting and training.

Counseling ability developed with agro-chemical dealers and respective entrepreneurs.

Extent of benefit obtained High Moderate Less benefit benefit benefit

BI

Rank order

Not benefit at all

63

69

15

13

342

5(1)

57

69

18

16

327

7(2)

52

69

17

20

311

8(3)

19

71

21

49

220

18(5)

31

77

22

30

269

16(4)

19

48

25

68

178

21(6)

Environmental benefits 7.

Less environmental degradation like soil, water and air.

8.

Less problems confronted by formers in connection with human being, animals and fishes.

9.

Less nutrient depletion 10.

Less salinity and alkalinity 11.

Increased crops and soil health 12.

Less use of chemical fertilizer 13 . Less use of insecticides / Pesticides 14.

Less use of irrigation water Technical and economic benefits 15.

Increase of Integrated Nutrient Management(INM) 16.

Increased of Integrated Farming System(IFM) like crop, livestock, poultry, Fisheries etc.

17.

Identified and increased local resources like repellent, ecofriendly practices to control pest.

18.

Increased the use of pest resistant varieties.

19.

Increase the preservation of poultry and live stock excreta 20.

Increase preservation and conservation of household wastage 21.

Increase the use of biofertilizer/ farmyard manure/ compost as a best soil microbial activities increase and fertility increase 22.

Due to less use of pesticides decrease dermal and respiratory diseases of human bleary 23.

Due to less use of agrochemicals increase growth and production of animal and fishes.

24.

Due to less pollution of crops / soils increase yield and

43

77

21

19

308

9(3)

40

76

24

20

296

13(5)

4 0 38 76 92

31 23 68 65 58

14 12 27 12 8

111 125 27 7 2

88 58 277 370 400

25(7) 27(8) 15(6) 2(2) 1(1)

47

70

19

24

300

11*(4)

63

69

17

11

344

4(2)

69

66

17

8

356

3(1)

29

48

24

59

207

19(9)

38

75

24

23

288

14(7)

44

73

22

21

300

11*(5)

47

73

22

18

309

10(4)

41

78

20

21

299

12(6)

5

20

15

120

70

26(11)

13

45

21

81

150

23(10)

31

70

23

36

256

17(8)

high market value of agricultural commodities.

25.

Increase the quality of processed fruits and vegetables.

Psychological benefits 26.

Psychological changed of human being regarding the consumption of chemical free fruits and vegetables.

27.

Positive change of the key informant regarding pollution free environment 28.

Development of social norms and values by training and motivation by GOs/NGOs.

66

62

18

14

340

6(3)

17

41

9

93

142

24(3)

22

38

14

86

156

22(2)

25

49

28

58

201

20(1)

Note. Figure in the parentheses indicated rank order within the item benefits of the respondents Table 18. indicated that the computed range of the respondents for the benefit index was 58400 against the possible range 0-480. The highest benefit index score is 400 and rank first regarding the statement ‘Less use of insecticides/ Pesticides’ compare to the 2nd highest score was 356regarding the statement ‘Less use of chemical fertilizer’. The 3rd highest score was 345 and rank 3rd against the statement ‘Increased of Integrated Farming System (IFM) like crop, livestock, poultry, Fisheries etc.’ The 4th highest score was 344 and ranked 4th regarding the statement ‘ncrease of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)’. The 5th highest score was 342 and ranked 5th. Against the statement ‘Though eco-friendly practices is social motivation factor so there developed the decision making ability. The 6th highest statement was 340 and ranked 6th regarding the statement ‘Increased the quality of processed fruits and vegetables. and the 7th highest score was 327 and ranked 7th regarding the statement ‘Increased Participatory Technology Development(PTD) practice’.

The other statement was in descending rank order from 8th to 26 th and 27th. Where 27th rank order scored was lowest as 58 and respective statement item was ‘Less Salinity and alkalinity’ and 70 for due to less use of pesticides decrease dermal and respiratory diseases of human bleary.. Again among the items of group benefits- in social benefits the highest score was 342 and ranked first regarding the statement ‘Through eco-friendly practices is social motivation factor, so there developed the decision making ability”. Environmental benefits group the highest score was 400sss which is ranked first similar as total ranking order. Technical and economic benefits group the highest score was 356 regarding the statement ‘ Increased of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)’ and in psychological benefits group the highest score was 201 and ranked first against the statement ‘Development of social norms and values by training and motivation by GOs/NGOs .It implies that in case of descending rank order item statements of the respondents authority GOs and NGOs should give the emphasis to motivate the farmers of the study area to increase their rank order index for the sustainable eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production.

4.1.14. Problem faced by the respondent’s farmers from ecological agriculture Problem faced in ecological agriculture score of the farmers was found to range from 0 to 72 against the possible range of zero (0) to 84 with an average of 49.49 and standard deviation 16.37.

Table 19. Distribution of the respondents to their extent of problems Category Low (Upto 20) Medium (21-50) High (51+) Total

Respondents Number Percent 15 9.4 49 30.6 96 60.0 160 100.0

Mean

Standard deviation

49.49

16.37

Data indicated (Table-19) that the highest proportion (60 percent) of the farmers belonged to high problem faced in ecological agriculture group, while 9.4 and 30.6 percent faced low and medium problem in ecological agriculture respectively.

Table 20. Rank order of the respondents according to their problem confrontation index (PCI) of eco-friendly agricultural practices

Sl. No.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

Items of problem

Source of problem faced (%) Severe Moderat Less proble e problem m problem Poor recognition of extension 78 18 1 service Lack of sufficient publicity 83 14 2 through different media I illiteracy of farmers 82 15 1 Lack of interest of the farmers 30 44 15 regarding eco-friendly practices Improper organizational setup 29 39 21 at block level Lack of proper technical 32 44 16 knowledge about eco-friendly practices Lack of proper training of 29 36 22 farmers Shortage of availability of 29 43 18 ingredients to prepare compost Shortage of ingredients to 29 36 25 prepare botanical fertilizer and pesticides Difficult of production and 29 42 20 conservation of green manure Difficult to maintains pest 27 36 25 resistant varieties Farmers become bound to use 85 12 2 chemical pesticides in case of severe attract Difficult to preserve and 30 43 16 conserve household wastage Shortage of availability of farm 29 36 23 inputs High input charges 29 42 16 Need for much more labor 27 36 23 Lack of live stock and poultry 28 44 18 for necessary excreta Unpopularity of agro-chemical 26 36 25 free products Eco-friendly practices is time 2 22 4 consuming Lack of market place to sell 21 37 24 farm produce Transportation cost is high 20 39 22 Inadequate roads and transport 21 36 23 Lack of processing and storage 19 40 20 facilities Lack of proper sell value due 11 36 27 to involvement of middle men Criticism from registration 10 33 20 authority who are giving registration for pesticides and fertilizer Criticism from the 11 27 20 entrepreneurs of pesticides and

PCI No.proble m not at all 3 271

Rank order

4

1

279

2

2 11

277 193

3 6

11

186

10

8

200

5

13

181

13

10

191

8*

10

184

11**

9

191

8*

12

178

14

1

281

1

11

192

7

12

182

12

13 14 10

187 176 184

9 15 11**

13

175

16

72

54

25

18

161

17

19 20 21

160 158 157

18 19 20

26

132

21

27

116

22

42

107

23

Table 20 indicated that problem confrontation index (PCI) of the respondents had the computed range 32-281 against the possible range 0-300. The highest score of PCI was 281 and ranked first. against the item problem ‘Farmers become bound to use chemical pesticides in case of severe attract’. The second highest score was 279 and ranked second. regarding the item problem ‘Lack of sufficient publicity through different media’.

The 3rd highest score was 277 against the item problem ‘I illiteracy of farmers’. The fourth highest score was 271 and ranked fourth. regarding the item problem ‘Lack of interest of the farmers regarding eco-friendly practices’. The fifth highest score was 200 and ranked 5th. Regarding item problem ‘Lack of proper technical knowledge about ecofriendly practices’. Finally the descending order of the rank ranged from 6th to 26th where 26th rank order was the lowest score as 32 regarding the item problem ‘Criticism from family members and neighbors. ’.It implies that the item problem ranked from 1st to 5th are the severe problem as the problem confrontation faced by the respondents in the study area which have to be given the more emphasis by the GOs , NGOs and other involving agencies to maintain the sustainable eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production.

4.2. Impact of eco-friendly practices in-crop production Impact of eco-friendly practice was measured in four dimensions namely, knowledge, attitude, adoption of eco-friendly practice by the respondents and change in livelihood of the respondents. In each dimension, pre and post program situations were considered in measuring changes due to respondent’s involvement with the ICM programs. Impact of eco-friendly practice on knowledge, attitude, adoption along with their rank order and livelihood change of the respondents has been shown chronologically as follows : 4.2.1.Knowledge of the respondents on eco-friendly practices Knowledge of the eco-friendly practices of the respondents was measuredconsidering both for before and after their involvement with the ICM program.

Table 21. Distribution of the respondents according to their knowledge change Category Low (Upto 15) Medium (15-30) High 31 and above Total

Respondents (before involvement)

Respondents (after involvement)

Number 140 15 5

Percent 88 9 3

Number 33 42 85

Percent 20.6 26.3 53.1

160

100

160

100

Information presented in Table 21 demonstrated that before involvement 88 percent of the respondents had low knowledge followed by 9% medium and 3% high knowledge regarding eco-friendly agricultural practice .Thus, almost all of the respondents (88%) belonged to low category knowledge before their participation in the ICM program.

Findings in Table 21 also reveal that after involvement 53.1 percent of respondents possessed high knowledge, 26.3 percent contained medium knowledge and 20.6 percent held low knowledge regarding eco-friendly practices.

The average knowledge difference of the respondents between before and after their involvement in the eco-friendly agricultural practices of ICM programs was tested by testing the following null hypothesis : “There is no change in knowledge of the respondents between before and after there involvement with the eco-friendly agricultural practices�. The calculated t-value was 18.20, which was significant at 1% level with d.f. 159 (t test table no.44, Appendix-C) . Based on the above findings the null hypothesis was rejected. Hence, it can be concluded that knowledge of the respondents changed significantly after being involved with the eco-friendly agricultural practices through ICM programs.

Reasons for changes knowledge were *regular contact with ICM personnel, Upazila Agroicultural Office Personnel,Master Trainers and contact with mass media etc.

Table 22. Rank order of the respondents according to their knowledge change index (KCI) about eco-friendly agricultural practices Ite Items Percent of the respondents KC *Ran **Ra m k nk Adequa Moderatel Little Remaine I No. Order Order tely y changed change d unchange (2) d (1) changed d (3) (0) Remembering knowledge change about the following statements 1 The registration 8 78 5 9 185 2 12 department of bio-pesticide 2.

The leaves emit 8 15 56 21 110 4 23 pungent smell which insect don’t like.

3.

Organic 8 25 66 1 140 3 18 repellant in rice field.

4.

Harmful insect 60 15 5 20 210 1 7 Understanding knowledge change about the following statements 5 Cause for 36 55 6 3 224 1 5 increasing organic matter in soil.

6.

Farm yard 30 65 0 5 220 2 6 manure production.

7 Cause for 12 14 50 24 114 4 22 increasing problem item confronted by the farmers in connection with crop.

8

Cause for 7 25 64 4 increasing air pollution along with human being.

Applying knowledge change about the following statements 9 Control of 10 15 60 15 termite infestations.

10. Conservation of 50 48 2 0 beneficial insects 11 Proper time to 9 58 30 3 use 45 days old of daincha 12. Conservation 58 25 9 8 soil micro organisms.

Analyzing knowledge change about the following statements 13 Cause of Soil 25 60 5 10 degradation.

14 Cause of Water 52 20 9 19 pollution 15 Cause of 34 30 3 33 decreasing aqua culture 16 Cause of 85 15 0 0 mechanical practice of ICM Evaluating knowledge change about the following statements 17 Demerit of 31 9 48 12 persistent organic pesticides.

18 Demerit of over 75 25 0 0 doses of fertilizer and chemical pesticide.

19 Demerit of 35 12 26 27 increasing deforestation.

20 Advantage of 14 75 2 9 sequential cropping .

Creating knowledge change about the following statements 21 Control 4 28 60 8 Caterpillars of vegetables.

135

3

19

120

4

21

248

1

3

173

3

13

233

2

4

200

3

9

205

2

8

165

4

14

285

1

1

159

3

15

275

1

2

155

4

16

194

2

10

128

3

20

22 23 24

Control weevils 10 on soybeans.

Mechanism to 20 decrease air contamination?

Control 12 mechanism of dermal problem of human being.

*Rank Order evaluating,

=

15

40

35

100

4

24

60

10

10

190

1

11

35

38

15

144

2

17

Among remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing,

and creating knowledge changed item. **Rank Order = Among all of the items.

Table 22 indicated that the computed knowledge changed index (KCI) of the respondents ranged 100-285 against the possible range 0-300. The highest score was 285 and ranked s first against the item ‘Use of mechanical practice of ICM’. The second highest score of the respondents was 275 and ranked second against the item ‘Demerit of over doses of fertilizer and chemical pesticide’. The 3rd highest score of the respondent was 248 and ranked 3rd with the item statement ‘Conservation of beneficial insects’. The fourth highest score was 233 and ranked 4th against the item statement ‘Conservation soil micro organisms’. The fifth highest score of the respondent was 224 and ranked 5th against the item statement ‘Cause for increasing organic matter in soil’. The 6th highest score of the respondents was 220 and ranked 6th against the statement ‘Farm yard manure production’ and the 7th highest score of the respondents were 210 and ranked 7th. The descending order of the ranked of knowledge changed index (KCI) are 8th to 24th respectively where the lowest score was 100 and ranked 24th against the item statement ‘Control weevils on soybeans’. Finally among the group of knowledge changed are remembering and the highest score was 210 and ranked first against the item statement ‘Harmful insect’. Group of understanding the highest score was 224 and ranked first against the item statement ‘Cause for increasing organic matter in soil’. Group of applying the highest score was 248 and ranked first against the item statement ‘Conservation of beneficial insects’. Group of analyzing the highest score was 285 and ranked first against the item statement ‘Cause of mechanical practice of ICM’. Group of evaluating the highest score was 275 and ranked first against the item statement ‘Demerit of over doses of fertilizer and chemical pesticide’. Group of creating the highest score of the respondent was 190 and ranked first against the item statement ‘Mechanism to decrease air contamination’. Therefore regarding the descending rank order of item statements, all of the involved agencies both (GOs and NGOs) should provide more training, motivational program and other physical and financial support to the respondents for sustainable ecofriendly agricultural practices in-crop production at their field situation.

4.2.2.Attitude of the respondents towards eco-friendly practices Attitude of the respondents towards eco-friendly agricultural practices through ICM programs was computed for both of before and after programs situations.

Table 23. Distribution of the respondents according to their attitude change Category

Respondents(beforeinvolvement)

Respondents (after involvement)

Number

Number

Percent

Percent

Low favourable ( Upto 12) Moderately favourable (13-20) Highly favourable (21+) Total

24

15.0

7

4.4

56

35.0

12

7.5

80

50.0

141

88.1

160

100

160

100

The computed information presented in Table 23 indicated that before involvement 50 percent respondents had high favorable attitude, 35 percent had medium favorable attitude and 15 percent of them were in low favorable attitude categories regarding eco-friendly practice.

Findings in Table 23s also indicated that after situation 88.1 percent of them were under high favorable attitude following only 7.5 of them were found in medium favorable attitude category and 4.4 of them were under low favorable attitude category.

The average attitude difference of the respondents between before and after their involvement in the eco-friendly agricultural practices of ICM programs was tested by testing the following null hypothesis : “There is no change in attitude of the respondents between before and after there involvement with the eco-friendly agricultural practices�. The calculated t-value was 16.02, which was significant at 1% level with d.f. 159 ( t test table no. 44, Appendix-C). Based on the above findings the null hypothesis was rejected.

Hence, it can be concluded that attitude of the respondents changed significantly after being involved with the eco-friendly agricultural practices through ICM programs.

Reasons for changes attitude were: Regular contact with SAAO of the respective block.

Group discussion with Common Interest Group (CIG), Local leaders, relatives etc.

Arrangement of slide show and flip chart on success story collected from motivational tour Table 24.

Rank order of the respondents according to their attitude change index (ACI) about eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Percentage of the respondents ACI

Sl. No.

Statements

+1

I believe that eco-friendly 73 agricultural practices helps the farmers to solve the environmental degradation of soil water and air I think that eco-friendly 19 practices do not keep agroclimate sound I believe that eco-friendly 64 agricultural practices are better fro crop production so it is essential for each and every for to use this practice

-2 +3

Strongly Agree agree

Rank order

Undecide d

Disagree

Strongly disagree

17

7

0

3

357

2

17

21

5

38

174

14

16

8

2

10

322

3

-4

+5

-6

+7 -8

+9

-10

+11

-12

+13

I thinks that eco-friendly practice is difficult and less profitable in relation to cost involved.

I believe that the use of chemical fertilizer in crop production is not logical though it increase farm income.

I believe that agrochemical is harmful for environmental and also for human being and other living organisms I think that farmers should not hesitate to involve in eco- friendly practices I think that agro-chemical practical is more beneficiary than ecofriendly practices in relation to cost involvement.

I believe that irrigated water and flow of water is polluted by agro-chemical which is very harmful for aquatic livings.

I believe that with out application of agrochemicals is not possible to get quality agricultural commodities.

I believe that eco-friendly practice should be a continuous process to encourage the farmers but at the critical and severe attacked reasonable balanced and recommended dose of agro-chemical may be used.

I believe that without ecofriendly practice agrochemical should be used at any time.

I believe in sever attack agro chemicals should be

28

17

20

4

31

207

10

54

19

9

2

15

293

7

34

20

22

8

16

248

9

56

18

9

2

15

298

5

19

20

27

8

26

198

11

59

16

12

1

12

309

4

20

16

30

9

25

197

12

56

14

14

3

13

297

6

26

11

24

10

29

195

13

50

10

12

2

26

256

8

-14 +15 -16

used.

I think too much eco- 21 friendly practice is no need.

I think organic agro 73 products should be popularized.

I think eco-friendly 18 practice is not popular in world wide.

10

22

5

42

163

15

16

9

0

2

358

1

7

18

7

50

136

16

Table 24 indicated that the computed score of the respondents 136s-358 against the possible ranged 0-400. The highest score of the respondent were 358 and ranked first against the statement ‘I think organic agro products should be popularized.’. The second highest score of the respondent was 357 and rank 2nd regarding the statement ‘I believe that eco-friendly agricultural practices helps the farmers to solve the environmental degradation of soil water and air’. The 3rd highest score of the respondents were 322 and ranked 3rd against the statement ‘I believe that eco-friendly agricultural practices are better fro crop production so it is essential for each and every for to use this practice’. The 4th highest score of the respondents were 309 and ranked 4th against the statement ‘I believe that irrigated water and flow of water is polluted by agro-chemical which is very harmful for aquatic livings’.

The 5th highest score of the respondents were 298 and ranked 5th against the statement ‘I think that farmers should not hesitate to involve in eco- friendly practices’. The 6th highest score of the respondents were 297 and ranked 6th regarding the statement ‘I believe that eco-friendly practice should be a continuous process to encourage the farmers but at the critical and severe attacked reasonable balanced and recommended dose of agro-chemical may be used’. Rest of the scores was from 293 to 136 and ranked from 7th to 16th respectively, where the lowest score was 136 and ranked was 16th regarding the statement ‘I think eco-friendly practice is not popular in world wide’. It implies that , the descending order of the respondents against the respective item statement more training and motivational program could change the attitude of the respondents regarding eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production in their field situation.

4.2.3

Adoption of eco-friendly practices by the respondents

Measurement of adoption of the respondents about eco-friendly practices was taken place for both of before and after their involvement with the eco-friendly agricultural practices programs situation.

Table 25. Distribution of the respondents according to their adoption change Category Low adoption (Upto 30) Medium adoption

Respondents (Before Respondents (after involvement) involvement) Number Percent Number Percent 128 80.0 35 21.9 24

15.0

86

53.7

(31-60) High adoption 61 and 8 above Total 160

5.0

39

24.4

100.0

160

100

Finding presented in Table 25 show that before involvement 80 percent respondents responsed under the low adoption category, poor mass of them (15%) were under medium and very poor portion of them (5%) were under high adoption category. Therefore, overwhelming majority of the respondents (95%) held low to medium adoption before their involvement in the program.

Finding presented in Table 25also showed that after involvement 53.7 percent respondents responded under the medium adoption category, while 24.4% of them were under high adoption category and 21.9% of them were low adoption category. Therefore, near about four-fifth of the respondents (78.1%) extended medium to high adoption category after their involvement in the program.

The average adoption difference of the respondents between before and after their involvement in the eco-friendly agricultural practices of ICM programs was tested by testing the following null hypothesis : “There is no change in attitude of the respondents between before and after there involvement with the eco-friendly agricultural practices�. The calculated t-value was 13.37, which was significant at 1% level with d.f. 159 ( t test table no 47 Appendix-C). Based on the above findings the null hypothesis was rejected.

Hence, it can be concluded that adoption of the respondents changed significantly after being involved with the eco-friendly agricultural practices through ICM programs.

Reasons for changes adoption were: Reasonable knowledge and attitude increase adoption level of the respondent, participation in method demonstration and result demonstration field day, attending in motivational program to econ-friendly successful field situation, counseling with eco-friendly practiced progressive farmer,contact with innovative neighbor and farmers,participate in chemical free agroproducts marketing campaign.

Table 26 Rank order of the respondents according to their adoption changed (ACI) about eco-friendly agricultural practices Practices % of farmers having No Low Medium High adoption adoption adoption adoption (An) (0) (A1) (1) (Am) (2) (Ah) (3) 1. Preservation and use 7 4 6 83 of poultry and livestock excreta 2.

Preservation and 11 4 9 76 conservation of home stead wastage.

3. Preservation and use 11 4 8 77 of farmyard manure 4.

Compost hip 2 4 6 88

index AC I

Rank order

265

4(3)

250

6(5)

251

5(4)

280

1(1)

management practices(ENMP) Ecological pest management practices (EPMP) Eco friendly nutrient

preparation 5. Preservation and use of crop residues and weed fertilizer 6.

Cultivation and preservation of green manure.

7. Preservation of water hyacinth and use for cultivation 8. Use of liquid organic fertilizers.

9. conservation of vermi- compost 10. Use of bio-fertilizer 11. Use of quick compost and oil cake were necessary.

12. Preserve coudung as the row materials of farmyard manure 13. Setting up bamboo stick in field 14. Spreading tobacco dusts over the field to control insects 15. Using neem leaves to store grain 16. Spreading ash to vegetable filed to control aphid 17. Using trap in wheat and rice field to control rodents 18. Use quality and pest resistant seeds 19. Bio-pesticides 20. Crop rotation 21. Conservation of beneficiary insects 22. Destroying the eggs of yellow rice stem borer by striking with branches of spiny tree 23. Pest control by light trap and hand net 24. Pest control by insect repellent and sex

31

10

20

39

167

15*(7)

5

4

8

83

269

2(2)

32

11

17

40

165

16(8)

58

11

22

9

82

23(12)

39

14

25

22

130

20(10)

48 30

13 16

29 26

10 28

101 150

22(11) 19(9)

22

14

30

34

176

12(6)

20

11

37

32

181

11(6)

18

11

37

34

187

9(4)

15

12

38

35

193

8(3)

16

13

36

35

160

18(11)

19

12

34

35

185

10(5)

6

5

6

83

266

3(1)

27 27 10

12 12 7

23 25 11

38 36 72

172 170 245

13(7) 14(8) 7(2)

28

13

23

36

167

15*(9)

32

11

21

36

161

17(10)

43

11

20

26

129

21(12)

pheromone Rank order in the parentheses indicates among the group of the eco-friendly management practices. The table 26 indicated that the computed adoption changed index (ACI) was 82 to 280 against the possible ranged 0 to 300.

The highest score of the respondent was 280 and ranked 1st against the sitem statement ‘Compost hip preparation’ the 2nd highest score of the respondent were 269 ranked 2nd against the item statement ‘Cultivation and preservation of green manure.’, the 3rd highest score of the respondent were 266 and ranked 3rd against the item statement ‘Use quality and pest resistant seeds’, the 4th highest score was 265 and ranked 4th against the item statement ‘Preservation and use of poultry and livestock excreta ’, The 5th highest score was 251 and ranked 5th against the item statement ‘Preservation and use of farmyard manure’, The 6th highest ranked statement was 250 and ranked 6th against the statement ‘Preservation and conservation of home stead wastage.’. The rest of the descending order of the scores ranged from 245 to 82 and ranked from 7th to 23rd respectively .. The lowest rank order is 23rd and scored 82 only regarding the ‘Use of liquid organic fertilizer’ and 22nd ranked scored only 101 regarding the item score ‘Use of bio=fertilizer’.

The lower scored item statements are not used satisfactory as the eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production. Among the group eco-friendly nutrient management practices. The highest score is 280 and ranked 1st which is similar to the whole ranked score for the same item statement. Where the lowest score of the same group is 82 and ranked 12th which is the similar lowest score of the whole item statement regarding the same item. Among the eco-friendly pest management practices group the highest score was 266 and ranked 1st regarding the item statement ‘Use quality and pest resistant seeds’ and the lowest score was 129 and ranked 12th against the item statement ‘Pest control by insect repellent and sex pheromone’. Therefore, among the 24th item statements and group item statements the descending order item were comparatively lower adoption by the respondent because of the unavailability of raw materials, inputs, physical and financial support from the agencies. If the aforesaid wanting can be full-fill for the respondent of the study area then eco-friendly agricultural practices will be more adoptive for crop production in their field situation.

4.2.3.1

Hearing about eco-friendly practices

Hearing about eco-friendly practices of the respondents were 30% before involvement in eco-friendly agricultural practices program compared to 80% after involvement in the project.

BIP, 30%

AIP, 80%

Fig-10. Pie graph showing the first hearing about eco-friendly practices Findings indicated (Fig-10) that percent of respondents were much higher regarding first hearing about eco-friendly practices after involvement in the project.

4.2.3.2.

Source of hearing about eco-friendly practices

Sources of hearing about eco-friendly practices of the respondents were highest percent (75%) through ICM workers and SAAOs compared to 20%, 10%, 5%, 5% and 10% through attending meeting and training, local leaders, religious leader, UP members and neighbor / school teacher/ others respectively (Fig-11).

75%

Series1 5%

10%

Neighbor/School Teacher/ Others

5%

UP Member

Local Leader

Attending Meeting & Training

10%

Religious Leader

20%

ICM Workers/ SAAO

80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

Fig-11. Bar graph showing the source of hearing about eco-friendly practices Findings indicated in Fig-11 that lowest (5%) level of respondents religious members and UP members are the sources of hearing about eco-friendly practices compared to medium (20%) as attending meeting and training.

4.2.3.3. Introduction of eco-friendly practices The respondents were introduced of eco-friendly practices from 1985 to 2011. Lowest percent (20%) of the respondents were introduced of eco-friendly practices in 1985-1990 (SPPS Period-1) and 1990-1995 (SPPS Period-2) compared to medium percent (30%) and highest percent (50%) in 1996-2006 (IPM period) and 2007-2011 (ICM period) respectively.

Table 27. Distribution of the respondents according to their response regarding the Introduction of eco-friendly practices Year 1985-1990 (SPPS Period-1) 1990-1995 ( (SPPS Period-2)

No.of respondents

% of respondents

32

20%

1996-2006 (IPM Period) 2007-2011 (ICM Period)

48 80

30% 50%

Findings indicated in table 27 that Integrated Crop Management (ICM) period 2007-2011 was the most diversified period to introduce eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production.

4.2.3.4.

Factor influencing eco-friendly practices

Factors influenced in eco-friendly practices of the respondents were ‘Save the environment’ ‘Save human health’ and ‘Low cost of technology’.

Among the aforesaid factors the highest percent (70%) of the respondents opined that ecofriendly agricultural practices regarding ‘Save the environment’ compared to 50% and 10% for Save ‘human health’ and ‘low cost of technology respectively’ (Fig-12).

Low cost of technology , 10% Save the environment Save human health, 50%

Save the environment, 70%

Save human health Low cost of technology

Fig-12 Pie graph showing the factors influencing the adoption of eco-friendly practices

Though there were more other factors which influenced the respondents to use eco-friendly practices in-crop production but most important factors are shown in Fig-12. In fact pollution free environment and eco-friendly agricultural practices are similar meaning in respect of decreasing agro-chemicals for saving human health.

4.2.3.5. Continuity of the use of eco-friendly practices Regarding the continuity of eco-friendly practices 80% respondents of the study area opined that they were continuously using different types of eco-friendly practices in their field situation.

Discontinues Use, 20% Continuous Use Discontinues Use Continuous Use, 80%

Fig-13. Pie graph showing the continuity of eco-friendly practices.

Only 20% respondents opined that they were discontinuously using the different eco-friendly practices in their field situation (Fig-13). So the majority of the respondents (80%) are continuously using different eco-friendly practices after involvement in the project.

4.2.3.6. Factors influencing adoption of alternate eco-friendly practices.

Thefactors which influenced the respondent for adoption of alternate eco-friendly practices are relative advantage, compability, simplicity, trialability and observeability (Table 28).

Table 28. Distribution of the respondents according to the factors influencing adoption of alternate eco-friendly practices.

Factor Relative advantage Compability Simplicity Trial ability Observe ability Other

No.of respondents 96 32 64 16 16 0

% of respondents 60% 20% 40% 10% 10% 0%

Findings indicated in table 28 that 60% of the respondents opined regarding relative advantage factor is the most important factors for influencing adoption of eco-friendly practices compare to 40%, 20%, 10% and 10% for simplicity, compability, trialability and observeability respectively.

4.2.4

Impact of eco-friendly agricultural practices on livelihood change :In terms of agricultural and socio-economic parameters.

4.2.4.1

Use of modern seeds

Before the implementation of the ICM activities in the project area, modern seeds were sown on 25%, 20%, 10%, 30% and 3% percent area against Rice (aman), Rice (boro), Wheat, Potato, and Mustard respectively (Table 29). On implementation of ICM activities the areas became 60%, 80%, 85%, 75% and 40% percent respectively.

Table 29.

changes in the use of ‘modern seeds’ of the sample respondent

Crops Rice (aman) Rice (boro) Wheat Potato Mustard

Average % of area under modern seeds (respondents) BIP AIP % change 25% (110) 60% (130) 140 20% (140) 80% (150) 300 10% (105) 85% (140) 750 30% (150) 75% (155) 150 3% (40) 40% (90) 1233

Findings indicated in Table 29 that the percentage of changed between the periods were also much higher in all respects. It indicates that modern seeds became popular to farmers which might be the impact of eco-friendly agricultural practices because modern variety are disease and pest resistant which decrease the use of pesticide and which needs to use less amount of fertilizer.

4.2.4.2

Irrigation facilities

The irrigation facilities changed were studied in this peace of research. The total ownership of irrigation equipments was 140 in BIP which became 156 in AIP. Similarly average irrigated area in BIP was 0.30 hectare per respondent which became 0.70 hectare per respondent in AIP. The changed percentage in respect of ownership and average irrigated area stands 11.42 and 133.33 respectively (Table 30).

Table 30. changes in the use of ‘irrigation facilities’ of the sample respondent Types of BIP equipment Total Average irrigated irrigated area ( in area/ hectare) respondent (in hectare) DTW STW 1.20 LLP 1.80

AIP % change Total Average Number of Average irrigated irrigated ownership irrigated area ( in area/ area hectare) respondent (in hectare) 4.20 7.00

Tradel Pump HTW Total

9.00 30.00 42.00

0.30

24.50 73.50 109.20

0.70

11.42

133.33

Findings indicated in Table 30 that these changes might be the causes of motivational work implemented through ICM activities in the project area.

4.2.4.3

Homestead vegetable garden size

The increased size of homestead vegetable garden has an indirect effect on the livelihoods of small farmers by increasing their income as well as by reducing their nutritional deficiencies. Data presented below shows (Table 31) that high value vegetables crops (Tomato, Carrot, Spinach) were included in homestead garden as well as average size of the garden increased in AIP as compared to BIP. Table 31.

Changes in the average homestead vegetable garden size of the sample respondents BIP AIP % of area change Name of top Total area Average No. of Total area Average five in hectare area in respondent in hectare area in vegetables hectare per have hectare per gown respondent cultivated respondent through out a year Radish 0.40 15 1.80 Lal shak 0.80 25 3.00 Data 1.20 20 2.40 0.08 0.12 50 Owl Kahchu 0.40 15 1.80 Brinjal 4.60 80 9.60 Total 9.20 155 18.60 Table 31 indicates that the inclusion of high value crops in the homestead garden and increased rate of garden size (50%) might have contribution on leading better livelihoods of the respondents, by using homestead livestock poultry excreta and household wastage is the most important component of eco-friendly practices of the ICM project.

4.2.4.3

Livestock and poultry ownership

Farm animals include cattle, goats, sheep, buffaloes, chickens, ducks and pigeon. In the study there has been increased tendency observed in the proportion of households cattle, buffalo, goat / sheep ownership also increased tendency observed in poultry (Table 32).

Table 32.

Changes in the livestock and poultry ownership pattern of the sample respondents.

BIP AIP % Type of No. of % of Type of No. of % of change livestock respondent respondent livestock respondent respondent have the have the have the have the

ownership Cattle 112 Goat/Sheep 48 Buffalo 6 BIP Type of No. of poultry respondent have the ownership Chicken 150 Duck 96 Pigeon 32

ownership 70% 30% 4%

ownership Cattle 150 Goat/Sheep 90 Buffalo 16 AIP % of Type of No. of respondent poultry respondent have the have the ownership ownership 80% Chicken 144 60% Duck 112 20% Pigeon 48

ownership 80% 40% 10%

14.28 33.33 150 % % of change respondent have the ownership 90% 12.5 70% 16.66 30% 50

Findings indicated (Table 32) that poultry and livestock rearing and preservation of their excreta is the important aspects for eco-friendly practices.

4.2.4.5

Food/ Nutrition

This study investigated consumption of food items by respondents. The survey considered the four high value items of foods like egg, milk, meat, and fish. The respondents were asked to provide information on the number of food items they consumed in a week with his family members. It revealed from the study, that only the egg consumption had increased, the milk and meat consumption had decreased and in the case of fish consumption of changed occurred after their involvement project.

Table 33.

Changes in food/nutrition status of the sample respondents BIP AIP % change Food respondent respondent Consumption (Per week) No. % No. % Egg 112 70% 150 80% 14.28 Milk 150 80% 96 60% -33.33 Meat 96 60% 48 30% -100 Fish 144 90% 144 90% .00 Findings indicated in Table 33 that the percentage of positive changed for egg consumption was 14.28 and milk and meat consumption rate were decreased by 33.33% and 100% respectively, where the fish consumption remained unchanged during the period considered.

4.2.4.6 Ownership of modern opportunities Agricultural development and economic improvement can bring out the modern opportunities for the people. The sample respondents were deprived of recreation, communication and simple transportation facilities. But, there has been a remarkable change after implementation of ICM activities in the project area. From the information (Table 34) it revealed that in BIP only 32%, 32% and 05% households enjoyed modern amenities like radio, bi-cycle and hand sewing machine (HSM).

Table 34.

BIP Modern opportunities Radio TV Bi-cycle Ceiling Fan Hand sewing machine (HSM) Radio + TV Radio + TV+Bicycle Radio + TV+Bicycle+Ceiling Fan Radio + TV+Bicycle+Ceiling Fan+HSM None Total

Changes in the ownership pattern on ‘modern opportunities’ of the sample respondents

No.of respondent 32 03 32 03 05

AIP % of No.of respondent respondent 20% 03 2% 16 20% 08 2% 16 3% 03

% of change

% respondent 2% 10% 5% 10% 2%

40 16

25% 10%

48 32

30% 20%

20 100

16

10%

20

12.5%

25

05

3%

13

8%

166.66

08 160

5% 100%

0 160

0% 100%

-100

- 90 400 - 75 400 -33.33

Findings presented in Table 34 indicate that in BIP about 30%, 20% and 12.5% respondents have been taking joint services of radio + T.V., radio + T.V.+Bi-cycle and radio+T.V.+bicycle + ceiling fan respectively. There were no T.V. and ceiling fan in all the respondents in BIP but in AIP they were enjoying T.V. and ceiling fan facilities.

The changes of possession of the above respondent’s assets are the indicators of the standards of living of the sample respondents in the project area.

4.2.4.7

Ownership of agricultural implements

Ownership of improved and necessary agricultural implements is the other indicators of development. From the information (Table 35) it revealed that in BIP only 12.5%, 1.25% and 1.87% of respondents were able to take service of paddle thresher, power tiller and van for caring agril, products.

Table 35.

Changes in the ownership of agricultural implements of the sample respondents Type of implements BIP AIP % Change (No. of respondent (No. of respondent with percent) with percent) Paddle thresher 20 (12.5%) 30 (18.75%) 50 Seed drill 15 (9.37%) 10 (6.25%) -33.33 Hand hoe/ Weeder 20 (12.5%) 25 (15.62%) 25 Power tiller 2 (1.25%) 10 (6.25%) 400 Hand sprayer 50 (31.25%) 60 (37.5%) .20 Van for carrying 3 (1.87%) 10 (6.25%) 233.33

agril. Products Bullock with plough

50 (31.25%)

15 (9.37%)

-70

Findings indicated in Table 35 that in AIP about 18.75%, 6.25% and 6.25% of respondents have been taking these services respectively. On the other hand, 6.25% and 9.37% of the respondents reduced to take services of seed drill and bullock with plough in AIP. The reduced trend of use might be the results of bad service of seed drill and higher maintenance cost of bullock with plough.

4.3

Relationship between Selected Characteristics of the Respondents and Changes in their Knowledge, Attitude and Adoption of eco-friendly agricultural practices

To test the relationship between the selected characteristics of the respondents and their changed in knowledge, attitude and adoption of eco-friendly practices Matrix Correlation coefficient was computed. The results of the tests are given below: 4.3.1 Relationship between knowledge change and the selected characteristics The findings available in Correlation Table (36) showed that age, education, farm size, utilization of training knowledge, organizational participation, source of information, annual income, cosmpoliteness and decision making ability of the respondents has significant positive effect in their knowledge change (at 5% and 1% level of significance) and the coefficient of correlation (r value) were 0.646**, 0.540**, 0.302**, 0.520**, 0.635**, 0.634**, 0.615**, 0.193*, 0.538**, (Table 36) Table 36.

Relationship between the selected characteristics of the respondents and change in their knowledge Selected characteristics of the respondents Age Education Farm size Utilization of training knowledge Organizational participation Source of information Annual Income Cosmopoliteness Decision making ability

Observed ‘r’ value 0.646** 0.540** 0.302** -0.534** 0.520** 0.635** 0.364** 0.193* 0.015 0.538**

* 5% level of significant ** 1% level of significant Table 36 indicates that out of 13 independent variables 9 variables showed highly positive relationship with knowledge change of the respondents. These results imply that with the increase in age educational qualification, farm size, utilization of training knowledge, organizational participation, source of information, annual income, cosmopoliteness and decision making ability of the respondents there would be an augmentation in their knowledge change regarding eco-friendly practices. Education broadens one’s outlook in life and helps understand the social, political, economic, cultural and environmental issues in

the society. Similarly increasing contact with the sources of information helps keeping upto-date in knowledge in the relevant field, increasing farm size helps getting more production leading to better mental stability, higher organizational participation assists in sharing knowledge, greater annual family income and expenditure enhance spending money and other resources for acquiring knowledge from different sources. Utilization of training knowledge, Cosmopoliteness, also increase the respondents in knowledge change and that knowledge lead to make accurate decision making ability.

Therefore, it can be said that the higher is the aforesaid nine independent variable the greater is the change of the respondents in their knowledge change regarding eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production.

4.3.2 Relationship between attitude change and the selected characteristics Table 37 indicates that there were significant positive relationship between education, farm size, training on eco-friendly agril, source of information, annual income, marketing opportunity of the respondents with their attitude change and the coefficient of correlation (r value) were 0.531**, 0.306**, -0.130**, 0.694** 0.419**, 0.400**, respectively. These results imply that out of 14 independent variables 6 aforesaid variables of the respondents where significant positive relationship with their attitude change.

Table 37.

Relationship between the selected characteristics of the respondents and change in their attitude

Selected characteristics of the respondents Education Farm size Training on eco-friendly agril Source of information Annual Income Marketing opportunity * 5% level of significant ** 1% level of significant

Observed ‘r’ value 0.531** 0.306** -0.130** 0.694** 0.419** 0.400**

Table 37 indicates that increased in educational qualification, farm size, training on ecofriendly agril, source of information, annual income, and marketing opportunity of the respondents would be increase in their attitude towards eco-friendly practices. On the other hand increase in knowledge of an individual regarding a subject matter there would be increase attitude of the same individual toward the same subject. It can be said that the higher of the aforesaid characteristics greater is the change in the attitude towards ecofriendly agricultural practices and also the greater change in the knowledge resulting the change in their attitude towards eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production.

4.3.3 Relationship between adoption change and the selected characteristics Table 38 indicates that there were significant positive relationship between education, farm size, training on eco-friendly agril, utilization of training knowledge, source of information, annual income, decision making ability, marketing opportunity and benefit obtained from eco-friendly practices of the respondent with their adoption change and the coefficient of correlation (r value) were 0.703**, 0.530**, -0.404**, -0.671**, 0.711**, 0.632**,0.363**,

0.413**.0.516**. These results imply that out of 14 independent variables 9 aforesaid variables of the respondents where significant positive relationship with their attitude change.

Table 38.

Relationship between the selected characteristics of the respondents and their adoption change Selected characteristics of the respondents Observed ‘r’ value Education 0.703** Farm size 0.530** Training on eco-friendly agril -0.404** Utilization of training knowledge -0.671** Source of information 0.711** Annual Income 0.632** Decision making 0.363** Marketing opportunity 0.413** Benefit obtained from Eco-friendly practices.

0.516** * 5% level of significant ** 1% level of significant Findings indicated (Table 38) that increased in educational qualification, farm size, training on eco-friendly agril, utilization of training knowledge, source of information, annual income, decision making ability, marketing opportunity and benefit obtained from ecofriendly practices of the respondents would be increase in their adoption towards ecofriendly practices. On the other hand increase in knowledge and attitude of an individual regarding a subject matter there would be increase adoption rate of the same individual toward the same subject. It can be said that the higher of the aforesaid characteristics of the respondents were the greater is the change in the adoption towards eco-friendly agricultural practices and also the greater change in the knowledge and attitude resulting the change in their adoption rate towards eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production.

4.4

Contribution of the selected characteristics of the respondents on change in their knowledge, attitude, and adoption of eco-friendly practices

The selected characteristics of respondents may have contribution on their knowledge, attitude and adoption at different levels. Regression analysis was employed on determine the contribution of selected characteristics of the respondents on their knowledge, attitude and adoption. It was done to scrutinize how the changes in knowledge, attitude, adoption are influenced by the changes in selected characteristics of the respondents. It was also applied to study the relationship between selected characteristics of the respondents and their knowledge, attitude and adoption change. In these study regressions analysis was used to determine the contribution of selected characteristics on the change in knowledge, attitude and adoption separately or collectively. Multiple linear regressions were used to identify the characteristics that contributed significantly on the change in knowledge, attitude, and adoption and stepwise regression was used to compute individual contribution of significant factors of the respondents.

4.4.1 Contribution on change in knowledge Out of 13s characteristics, it is presumed that all the selected characteristics of the respondents might have contribution with their change in knowledge. But to determine the actual contribution on them on change in knowledge multiple liner regression was used.

Table 39

Multiple linear regression analysis of selected six characteristics of the respondents showing their contribution on knowledge change regarding eco-friendly practices in crop production

Selected Characteristics

1.

(Constant)

Age Education Training on eco-friendly agril

Unstandardiz ed Coefficient s Beta Std. Error 8.199 8.112 .301 .094 .220 .279 36.944 3.150 -15.078 2.348 .037 .803 .090 .101

Standardized Coefficients

Beta

t

Sig.

.293 .065 .801 -7.43 0.041 .086

1.011 3.193 .791 11.727* * -6.422** .446 .887

.314 .002 .430 .000 .000 .656 .376

Farm size Organizational participation Source of information R Square = 0.715 F Ratio = 67.557 at 0.000 level of significance.

Before solving a multiple regression analysis all variable (independent and dependent) can be standardised. Standarized co-effecient (Beta) show that the change in the independent variable measured in standard deviation. R2 is co-efficient of multiple determination which lies betwee 0 to 1. Therefore, the sequence of the multiple correlation co-efficient is known as co-efficiet of multiple determination.

Table 39 explains that multiple R2 value was 0.715. It implies that all the six selected characteristics explained 72 percent total variation of the change in knowledge of the respondents about eco-friendly agricultural practices. Among them training on eco-friendly agriculture had positive significant contribution in the situation. This is the important characteristics which strongly and positively influenced the change in knowledge. Farm size showed significant but showed negative trend. Other four characteristics like age, education, organizational participation and source of information demonstrated positive trend. F ratio is 67.55 also significants impling that the variation of independent variable depends on the explanatory variables included in the model. Finally it can be concluded that F shows overall significant of regression model is also a test of significance of R2.

4.4.2 Stepwise regression analysis

Stepwise regression can be activated either by trying out one independent variable at a time and including it in the regression model, if it is statistically significant or by including all potential independent variable in the model or eliminating those that are not statistically significant or by a combination of both methods or strength of relationship between one dependent variable and a series of other changing variables (independent variables).

Results of stepwise regression analysis (Table 40) that utilization of training knowledge along with step 2 explained the main fraction (72.2%) of the total variation in knowledge change of the respondent regarding eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production followed by 53.7% and 41.7% of the total variation for training on eco-friendly agriculture + age and only training on eco-friendly agriculture respectively.

Table 40.

Stepwise regression analysis of the selected characteristics of the respondents showing their individual contribution to change in knowledge Step Variables Entered R2 R2 Change Explained Variation 1 Training on eco-friendly 0.417 0.417 41.7% agril 2 Training on eco-friendly 0.537 0.12 41.7%+12.0% agril.+age 3 Training on eco-friendly 0.722 0.305 41.7%+30.5% agril+ age+education On the other hand Table 40 indicated that 12.0% of the total variation was explained for contact with ‘training on eco-friendly agril.+age’ and 30.5% of the total variation was explained for ‘training on eco-friendly agriculture’+age+‘utilization of training knowledge’.

It indicated that training on eco-friendly agriculture and age and education of the respondents exert remarkable effect on knowledge towards eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production. Similar observation were experience and supported by different researchers like Masram (1999), Asaduzzaman (2002), Islam (2003), Rabbany (2003), Hamidi (2004) and Nuruzzaman (2000).s 4.4.3 Contribution on change in attitude To find out the genuine contribution of the selected characteristics on the change in attitude of the respondents multiple linear regressions was employed. Results presented in Table 41 explain that multiple R2 valuewas 0.703,.

Table 41. Multiple linear regression analysis of the selected seven characteristics of the respondents showing their contribution on attitude change regarding ecofriendly practices in crop production Selected Characteristics UnStandardize standardized d Coefficients Coefficients Beta Std. Beta T Sig. Error 1. (Constant) 25.731 6.971 3.691 0.000 Age 0.125 0.094 0.124 1.328 0.186 Education -0.495 0.318 - 0.149 -1.556 0.122

Farm Size Training on eco-friendly agril Source of information Organizational participation Annual income

-4.135 21.030 -11.893 0.664 -0.003

1.096 3.681 1.880 0.087 0.042

-0.300 0.465 -0.597 0.748 -0.008

3.772** 5.713** 6.325** 7.610** -0.068

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.946

** at 1% level significant R Square = 0.703 F Ratio = 54.836 at 0.000 level of significance.

Before solving a multiple regression analysis all variable (independent and dependent) can be standardised. Standarized co-effecient (Beta) show that the change in the independent variable measured in standard deviation. R2 is co-efficient of multiple determination which lies between 0 to 1. Therefore, the sequence of multiple co-relations co-efficient is known as co-efficient of multiple determinations.

It specifies that all the seven selected characteristics of the respondents explained 70.3 percent total variation of their attitudinal change about eco-friendly practices. However, Age and education demonstrated at 5% level of significant. On the other hand farm size, training on eco-friendly agriculture, source of information and organization participation, demonstrated 1% level of significant. F = t2.

Therefore F ratio is 54.83 is also implying that the variation of dependent variable depends on the explanatory variable included in the model. Finally it can be concluded that F shows over all significance of regression model is also a test of significance of R2.

4.4.4 Stepwise regression analysis Stepwise regression can be activated either by trying out one independent variable at a time and including it in the regression model, if it is statistically significant or by including all potential independent variable in the model or eliminating those that are not statistically significant or by a combination of both methods or strength of relationship between one dependent variable and a series of other changing variables (independent variables).

Results from stepwise regression analysis in Table 42 showed that ‘Training on eco-friendly agril.+ Utilization of training knowledge + Farm size+ Organizational participation + explained the main fraction (70.9%) of the total variation in attitude change of the respondents regarding eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production followed by 67.3%, 59.7% and 50.0% for step 3,2 and 1 respectively.

Table 42. Stepwise regression analysis of the selected characteristics of the respondents showing their individual contribution to change in attitude Step

Variables Entered

R2

R2 Change

Explained Variation

1

Training on eco-friendly agril.

0.500

0.500

50.0%

2

Training on eco-friendly agril+. Organizational 0.597 participation +

0.097

50.0%+9.7%

3

Training on eco-friendly agril.+ Organizational 0.673 participation + Education

0.173

50.0%+17.3%

4

Training on eco-friendly agril.+ Education+ 0.709 Farm size+ Organizational participation +

0.209

50.0%+20.9%

On the other hand findings indicated in the table 42 that 20.9% of total variation was explained for ‘training on eco-friendly agril.’ + Organizational participation’ + education + ‘farm size’. It indicates that the above mentioned four variables of the respondents collectively exert remarkable effect on their attitude changed towards eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production. Similar observation were experienced and supported by Islam (1996), Nuruzzaman (2000), Hamidi (2004) and Pathak (1981).

4.4.5 Contribution on change in adoption Stepwise regression can be activated either by trying out one independent variable at a time and including it in the regression model, if it is statistically significant or by including all potential independent variable in the model or eliminating those that are not statistically significant or by a combination of both methods or strength of relationship between one dependent variable and a series of other changing variables (independent variables).

Like wise knowledge and attitude, it is also assumed that all the selected characteristics of the respondents might have contribution on their change in adoption. To find out the actual contribution on the change in adoption, multiple linear regression was used. Findings presented in Table 66 explain that multiple R2 value was 0.665 . It denotes that the six selected characteristics explained 59 percent of total variation of the change in adoption about eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Table 43. Multiple linear regression analysis of the six selected characteristics of the respondents showing their contribution on adoption change regarding eco-friendly practices in crop production.

Selected Characteristics

1. (Constant) Age Education Training on eco-friendly agril

Unstandardized Coefficients B 9.684 0.341 0.437 -5.110 0.383

Standardized Coefficients Std. Error 5.703 0.142 0.392 4.271 0.120

Beta 0.245 0.095 -0.082 0.313

t 1.698 2.401 1.113 -1.196 3.203

Sig. 0.092 0.018 0.267 0.233 0.002

Organizational participation Farm size Square F Ratio

0.326

0.097

0.240

3.364

0.001

= 0.665 = 64.046 at 0.000 level of significance.

Before solving a multiple regression analysis all variable (independent and dependent) can be standardised. Standarized co-effecient (Beta) show that the change in the independent variable measured in standard deviation. R2 is co-efficient of multiple determination which lies betwee 0 to 1. Therefore the sequence of the multiple correlations co-efficient is known as co-efficient of multiple determinations. In table 43 implies that all 5 characteristics explained 66% total variation of the change in adoption of the respondents about ecofriendly agricultural practices.

Findings indicated in table 43 that age, organizational participation and farm size showed significant positive contribution in the situation. The role of other variable showed insignificant.

F = t2. Therefore F ratio is 64.04 also implying that the variation of dependent variable depends on explantry variables included in the model. Finally it can be concluded that F shows overall significance of the regression model is also a test of significance of R2.

4.4.6 Stepwise regression analysis It is evidenced from stepwise regression analysis in Table 44 showed that ‘ organizational participation’ +age+ ‘knowledge’ explained the main fraction (66.6%) of the total variation in adoption change of the respondents regarding eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production followed by 64.1% and 60.1% for step 2 and 1 respectively.

Table 44.

Stepwise regression analysis of the selected characteristics of the respondents Step Variables Entered R2 R2 Explained Change Variation 1

Organizational participation

2

Organizational participation+age

3

Organizational participation +age +Education

0.00 1 0.64 1 0.66 6

0.601

60.1%

0.04

60.1%+4.0%

0.065

60.1%+6.5%

On the other hand findings indicated in table 44 that 6.5% of total variation was explained for organizational participation’ + age+‘ Education. It indicated that the above mentioned three variables of the respondents collectively exert remarkable effect on their adoption changed on eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production. Similar observation were experienced by different researchers like Supa and Singh (1972), Pathak and Mazumdar (1978), Pathak (1981), Hossain (1987), Karim and Mahabub (1992) and Ali (2008).

4.5

Results of qualitative data analysis

In order to make triangulation of findings qualitative data collection method were used and analyzed. Case study, focus group discussion (FGA) method were applied as qualitative methods for this study.

4.5.1

Case study

Case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context, when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident, and in which multiple sources of evidence are used(Yin,1984). Some sociologist termed case study as ‘social microscope’ mostly as an example of a general phenomenon, or of a general proposition (Jary and Jary, 1991). It is a method comprehensive study of a social unit, which may be a person, a family, a group, an institution, an organization or a community.

4.5.1.1 Case study-1 The subject of this study was practising eco-friendly agricultural practices by the suggestion of ICM project personnel. Mr. M.A. Matin, a 38 years old man lived in the village Adampur, Union Eliotganj of Daudkandi Upazilla under Comilla district. This village is a remote village under the same upazila. His education was of eight years of schooling. The family size of that farmer was 6 and possessed 2.00 ha of farm land. Annual income of the respondent was 85 thousand taka. The farmer had 15 years farming experience. Out of this period he was directly involved with eco-friendly agricultural practices from 2007 to 2011 through ICM project, and completed 20 (twenty) week’s training program conducted by ICM project regarding eco-friendly agricultural practices related matter. He also received 10 days training on poultry rearing, 8 days training on livestock rearing and 5 days training on fish culture and management from the collaborative program between ICM project, DLS, DOF and NGOs. He stated that before engaging with ICM activities he used 100% chemical fertilizer and pesticides in his crop field. After receiving eco-friendly agricultural training, he started ecological agricultural practices on his own land intiasted with the eco-friendly agricultural knowledge, attitude, adoption and motivational programs through ICM personnel (including Master trainers, UAO, AAEO, AEO, SAAOs and NGOs personnel). He started his agricultural operation newly and successfully continued the practices. Consequently he was selected as an ecological agricultural resource person being the active member of an ICM club. He suggested other group members of the ICM club in his village and neighboring farmers to use eco-friendly agricultural practices on their land. He reported that this practice improve soil health, management of pest by applying environment friendly practices, improve human health and protect the environment.

At present he cultivates seasonal vegetables (summer and winter), papaya, banana and rice in his land. His family members are directly or indirectly involved and inspired by ICM activities.

He cultivates the crops by using manures in stead of chemical fertilizer such as cowdung, compost, water hyacinth, farm yard manure etc. In case of cereal crop cultivation he use very little amount of chemical fertilizers with large amount of manures. But in case of vegetable cultivation he depends mainly on manures. He never uses any pesticides in case of vegetable

cultivation but during the severe pest attack he uses reasonable recommended amount of pesticides which has less residual value. He uses cultural practice for weed control. Besides, nishinda, biskatali etc. are used for pest control. He is very much conscious about the most important component of ICM like biological control, cultural control of pest etc. He was spreading as in vegetable field to control aphid and got good result.

He used branches of trees in rice field to let the birds sit and eat away insects. During preservation of seeds in store he used neem leaves. He used sands with pulses, potato etc. for long preservation. In aman season he used trap near the rodent holes to control them.

He stated that by using the aforesaid eco-friendly agricultual practices in crop production he could lower his production cost without decreasing his production and save more money by selling agro-chemical free products in the market. Through this saving of money he improved his living house, cowshed and purchased an irrigation machine and seed drill.

As stated, Mr. Matin was able to overcome his previous losses of soil health and environment. Moreover, by minimizing production cost he saved money. Due to his role, he is honoured as an opinion leader, and as acting directly and indirectly to spread the ided of eco-friendly agril’ practices to other members of his community.

4.5.1.2 Case study-2 The subject of the study was “How a person was able to regain his lost money by intimating knowledge regarding various aspects of eco-friendly agril practices” Mr. Md. Musaraf, a 42 years old man who lives in the village Argi Kalikapur union Champasha of Babugonj Upazilla under Barisal district. He is a successful ICM farmer. He received training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practice, environment friendly Integrated Farming System (IFS), Integrated Plant Nutrient System (IPNS), and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) from Farmers Field School (FFS) for 20 (twenty) weeks. Afterwards he formed ICM club, and developed himself as a successful ICM farmer who successfully uses all the combination and activities related to eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop production his ICM club is directly, physically and financially controlled by ICM project of Agrucultural Extension Component (AEC), under DAE from 2007 to till date.

Mr. Musaraf studied up to class IX. His family size consists of 5 members, he possesses 2.80 ha land and his annual income was 90 thousand taka. He did not receive any credit and his opinion is not good about the credit procedure. In 2004 he went to district headquarter with a credit loan of Tk. 90,000/- (Ninety thousand) which was managed by Bank mortgaing 1 hac. of his land. He purchased 10 rikshaw and establised a rickshaw graze near launch sadarghat of Barsial. But unfortunantly he had lost all of the rickshaws. He came back home in 2006. After returning home he was assetless, but the bank interest and fundamental loan became altogether 1,02,000/- taka.

He made contact with Upazilla Agriculture Office through SAAO of his block. By the approval of Upazilla Agriculture Officer he was selected as a student of Farmers Field School (FFS) under ICM project. He received 20 (twenty) week’s Integrated Crop Management (ICM) training in 2007 and became the active member of ICM club. He was selected as a Field Trainer (FT) of FFS on ICM project. He started eco-friendly agricultural practices through IFS, IPNS, INM and IPM components of ICM programs in his own land.

He advised the farmers who were outside the ICM club and also neighboring farmers regarding the advantages of eco-friendly agricultural practices and their practicals use.

He also received training on livestock, poultry, fish rearing and management. He also became the active member of farm co-operative society, which gave the loan with minimum interest for Integrated Agricultural Production and Management (Crop, livestock, poultry and fishery).

Mr. Musaraf was able to regain his lost money with his labour in his agricultural field by using eco-friendly practices and gained profit by minimizing the production cost. Side by side he established fisheries project and poultry project with the help of co-operative society.

He cultivated seasonal vegetable in his own land and cultivated rice in the rest of his land. In 2010 he earned 2,00,000/- (Two Lacs) taka by selling tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, bean, bottle gourd, broiler chicken and fisheries. Consequently he was able to make repayment of the bank credit and other credit. Now he is known as a model ICM farmer in his area, even to the upazilla authority of DAE. Because he has intimate knowledge regarding various aspects of eco-friendly agril. practices.

4.5.2

Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

During the period of data collection the researcher conducted a focus group discussion (FGD) regarding eco-friendly practices in crop production. To assess the impact of eco-friendly agricultural practices in crop production some of the key informant, namely, local leader NGO worker, previous TandV contact farmer, Agricultural worker, Imam (religious leader), school teacher were interviewed in three location out of five VIZ Daudkandi upazilla under Comilla district, Babugonj upazilla under Barisal district and Belabo under Narshingdi district. Results obtained were more or less same from three focus group discussion and presented in the fllowing pages.

4.5.2.1

Change in knowledge, attitude and adoption of the beneficiaries

Findings presented in Box- 1 indicate that there was medium change in knowledge of the programs beneficiaries due to “regular contact with ICM personnel and Upazilla Agricultural Office Personnel (UAO, AAO, AEO and SAAOS)”, “attending meeting with ecofriendly related program personnel (Master Trainers), distribution of folder, poster, leaflets etc.”, “attending exhibition, fair etc.”, “through mass contact like radio, television, news paper, krishi katha”, Box 1. Change in knowledge, attitude,practice and adoption of the beneficiaries regarding eco-friendly practices in crop production (FGDs, N =10+10+10 =30) Aspects Knowledge

Extent of changes Medium

Reasons of changes • Regular contact with ICM personnel and Upazilla Agricultural Office Personnel (UAO, AAO, AEO and SAAOS) • Attending meeting with eco-friendly related program personnel (Master Trainers).

• Distribution of folder, poster, leaflets etc.

• Attending exhibition, fair etc.

• Through mass contact like radio, television, news paper, krishi katha.

Attitude

Medium

Adoption

High

• Regular contact with SAAO of the respective block.

• Group discussion with Common Interest Group (CIG), Local leaders, relatives etc.

• Arrangement of slide show and flip chart on success story collected from motivational tour.

• Reasonable knowledge and attitude increase adoption level of the respondent.

• Participation in method demonstration and result demonstration field day.

• Attending in motivational program to econfriendly successful field situation.

• Counseling with eco-friendly practiced progressive farmer.

• Contact with innovative neighbor and farmers.

• Participate in chemical free agro-products marketing campaign.

Findings presented in Box-1 indicate that there was medium change in attitude of the programs beneficiaries due to “regular contact with SAAO of the respective block.”, “group discussion with Common Interest Group (CIG), Local leaders, relatives etc.”, “arrangement of slide show and flip chart on success story collected from motivational tour.”, Findings presented in Box 1 indicate that there was high change in adoption of the programs beneficiaries due to “reasonable knowledge and attitude increase adoption level of the respondent.”, “participation in method demonstration and result demonstration field day.”, “attending in motivational program to econ-friendly successful field situation.”, “counseling with eco-friendly practiced progressive farmer.”, “contact with innovative neighbor and farmers.”, “participate in chemical free agro-products marketing campaign”.

4.5.2.2

Problems and their proposed solutions for using eco-friendly practices

A brief description is presented on he basis of FGDs. The respondents along with the key informants identified some problems for using eco-friendly practices. In order to find out the solutions of those problems, key informants gave some suggestions for over coming those problems. The suggestions provided by the focus group discussants were more or less same and presented in Box-2. Findings presented in Box-2 indicate that participation in the FGDs showed their concerns about the solutions of the problems in connection with the use of ecofriendly practices.

Box 2. Problems and suggestions on the use of eco-friendly practices in crop production (FGDs = 10+10+10=30) Sl. No. Problems Suggestions 1 Farmers became bound to use • Increasing opportunity for availability of chemical pesticides in case of necessary of raw materials for compost, severe attract. green manures, bio-fertilizer, bio- pesticide, etc.

2 Lack of sufficient publicity • More publicity should be given in

3.

4.

5.

6.

7

8

9 10

through different media regarding the use of eco-friendly practices.

Lack of proper technical knowledge about eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Lack of awareness of environment pollution.

Lake of livestock and poultry for necessary excreta.

Lack of proper training on ecofriendly agricultural practices related organization.

Limited availability of readymade ingredients to prepare compost botanical fertilizer and pesticides.

No punishment for failure and awarded for the successful adopters of eco-friendly practiced farmers/change agent.

Lack of proper sell value due to involvement of middle men.

different media.

• Establishment of adult education for increasing eco-friendly agricultural practices.

• Increasing farmers’ awareness on environmental pollution.

• Increasing motivational program for rearing more livestock and poultry.

• Arranging proper training on eco-friendly agricultural practices specially by GOs and NGOs collaboration.

• Increasing opportunities for availability of necessary ingredients and more awareness on environment pollution.

• Establishment the punishment for failure and awarded for the successful adopters of eco-friendly practiced farmers/ change agent.

• Government should strictly control the whole sale and retail market both centrally and locally.

Un popularity of agro-chemical • Making social movement on increasing free products. popularity of agro-chemical free products.

In Box- 2 they identified and faced the following major problems as by the respondents. (1) “Farmers became bound to use chemical pesticides in case of severe attract”, (2) “Lack of sufficient publicity through different media regarding the use of eco-friendly practices”, (3) “Lack of proper technical knowledge about eco-friendly agricultural practices”, (4) “Lack of awareness of environment pollution”, (5) “Lake of livestock and poultry for necessary excreta”, (6) “Lack of proper training on eco-friendly agricultural practices related organization”, (7) “Limited availability of readymade ingredients to prepare compost, botanical fertilizer and pesticides”, (8) “ No punishment for failure and awarded for the successful adopters of eco-friendly practiced farmers/change agent”, (9) “Lack of proper sell value due to involvement of middle men”, (10) “Un popularity of agro-chemical free products” and gave some suggestions to overcome those problems (Box-2).

(1) “increasing opportunity for availability of necessary raw materials for compost, green manures, bio-fertilizer, bio- pesticide, etc.”, (2) “more publicity should be given in different media”, (3) “establishment of adult education for increasing eco-friendly agricultural practices”, (4) “increasing farmers’ awareness on environmental pollution”, (5) “increasing motivational program for rearing more livestock and poultry”, (6) “arranging proper training on ecofriendly agricultural practices specially by GOs and NGOs collaboration”, (7) “increasing opportunities for availability of necessary ingredients and more awareness on environment pollution”, (8) “establishment the punishment for failure and awarded for the successful adopters of eco-friendly practiced farmers/ change agent,” (9) “government should strictly

control the whole sale and retail market both centrally and locally”, (10) “making social movement on increasing popularity of agro-chemical free products.”

CHAPTER-V SUMMARY 5.1

Background of the study

The crop land of Bangladesh has been losing its fertility due to long uses of anti-natural practices like chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides. The anti-natural practices increase the cost of production in one hand, and decrease the microbial activities in the soil, on the other. This creates new hazardous situation in the entire crop production system including health hazards in Bangladesh. Ecological agriculture is the combination of agricultural practices without using any chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides.

Organic, mechanical, physical and cultural practices of agriculture are mainly used in ecological agriculture. Chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides not only contaminate surface water, they also affect fish population and human health as well. To regain the lost ecological status, it is high time to start the ecological agriculture without further delay. Some NGOs, GOs became very much concerned about the devastating effect of indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides since long, and earnestly felt the need for developing an alternative agricultural strategy that is sustainable, productive and environment-friendly.

Since 1985 DAE has been working towards development of this alternative strategy and termed it as “Eco-friendly agriculture”.

The methods of ecological agriculture are based on modern ecological science combined with time-tested indigenous knowledge, giving emphasis on the mode of cultivation through Integrated Crop Management (ICM), which providing Integrated Farming System (IFS), Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for crop production. ICM program arranging FFS and provide various types of training courses on eco-friendly agriculture for their club members in order to increase their eco-friendly agricultural knowledge and to make a favorable attitude and adoption of these activities. Sometimes, ICM program provides financial facility to its group members for practicing ecological agriculture and help them for marketing their ecologically produced organic products.

5.2

Objectives of the Study

1.

2.

5.

To evaluate the selected socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents; To determine the impact of eco-friendly agricultural practices based on changes in knowledge, attitude adoption, adoption practice and livelihood of the respondents; To determine the relationship between the selected characteristics of the respondents and their changes in knowledge, attitude and adoption due to their involvement with the eco-friendly practiced program.

To asses the contribution of the selected characteristics of the respondents on their changes in knowledge, attitude, adoption of eco-friendly practices.

To explore the problems faced by the respondents in eco-friendly practices.

5.3

Methodology

3.

4.

Both qualitative and quantitative strategies were applied in order to achieve the objectives of present study. The present study was conducted in five upazilas under five districts namely Balabo upazila under Narshingdi district, Muktagacha upazila under Mymensingh district, Daudkandi upazila under Comilla district, Babugonj upazila under Barisal district and Chandpur Sadar upazila under Chandpur district to find out changes occurred due to their involvement in eco-friendly practices program (ICM). A total 160 respondents were selected from the study area.

Various modes of data collection were used (individual interview, group interview and case study) for methodological triangulation. Data were collected during the period of January 2011 to October 2011 with the help of a set of well organized interview schedule. Data gathered through direct interviewing were coded for processing and analysis. The latest version SPSS computer program was used to perform the data analysis. Statistics like frequency counts and percentage as well as mean and standard deviation were calculated for the descriptive data. Paired-t-test was used to test the significant difference to before after data. Matrix coefficients of correlation were computed to find out the relationship between the change in knowledge, attitude, adoption of the respondents and their selected characteristics. To assess the significant contributing factors, multiple regression analysis (full model) and stepwise regression analyses was used as inferential statistics. Throughout the study, 1% and 5% level of significance was used to accept or reject the hypothesis.

5.4

Major Findings

Almost half (50.6 percent) of the farmers were in middle aged category compared to nearly one fifth (20.0 percent) being in young and about one-forth (29.4 percent) in old aged category). More than half (72.6 percent) of the respondents were literate. This literacy rate of the respondents was much higher than the national average which is at present 65.5 percent (BBS, 2010). Average family size (5.93) of the farmers were slightly higher than the national average of 5.4 (BBS, 2010); An overwhelming majority of (93.2) the respondents in the study area had medium to large family size. Average farm size of each farm family is 0.81 ha as compared to 0.74 ha in the study area (DAE, 2010). It specifies that farm holdings of the study areas were smaller than that of national average. More sthan four-fiftht of the respondents had training related to eco-friendly practices.and also. More than four-fiftht of the respondents made medium to full utilization of trainincg knowledge. About four-fith of the respondents had low to medium level of organizational participation. More than fourfiftht of the respondents had low to medium information source used and for source of information got the highest score (591) regarding the statement is‘Sub Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAO)’ and ranked firs. asnd second highest score (575) for the statement is ‘Input dealers/ Opinion leaders’ and rank second. SHuge mass of them (90.6%) were under low to medium annual family income categories. Highest proportion of the farmers had medium cosmopoliteness and their rank order index got the highest score (193) for ‘House of relatives/friends outside own village’. Majoritys of the respondents had medium decision making ability. and ‘Personal of family affairs’ got the highest index score (416) and ranked first comparatively ‘Expenditure regarding education, clothing etc. for the children and family members’, got the second highest sore (358) and ranked second, Highest proportion (47.5 percent) of the respondents belonged to medium marketing opportunity group and got the highest score (481) and ranked first regarding ‘Market value of agricultural inputs’.Highest proportion of the farmers obtained medium benefits from ecological agricultureand the highest benefit index score is 400 and ranked first regarding the statement ‘Less use of insecticides/ Pesticides’. Highest proportions of the farmers belonged to high problem faced in ecological agriculture group and the highest score of PCI was 281 and

ranked first against the item problem ‘Farmers become bound to use chemical pesticides in case of severe attack’.

The impact of sco-friendly practices was msasured by the average knowledge, attitude and adoption difference of the respondents between before and after their involvement in the program was calculated by t-value 18.20,16.02 and 13.37 respectively.. In knowledge change the highest score was 285 and rank first against the item ‘Use of mechanical practice of ICM’, In attitude change the highest score of the respondent were 358 and ranked first against the statement ‘I think organic agro- products should be popularized and In adoption change the highest score of the respondent was 280 and ranked 1st against the item statement ‘Compost hip preparation’ . The changes percentage in respect of ownership and average irrigated area stands 11.42 and 133.33 respectively. Inclusion of high value crops in the homestead garden and increased rate of garden size (50%) might have contribution on leading better livelihoods of the respondents.There has been increased tendency observed in the proportion of households cattle, buffalo, goat / sheep ownership also increased tendency observed in poultry The percentage of positive changed for egg consumption was 14.28 and milk and meat consumption rate were decreased by -33.33% and-100% respectively, where the fish consumption remained unchanged between the periods. . Findings reveled that in BIP about 30%, 20% and 12.5% respondents have been taking joint services of radio + T.V., radio + T.V.+Bi-cycle and radio+T.V.+bi-cycle + ceiling fan respectively. There were no T.V. and ceiling fan in all the respondents in BIP but in AIP they were enjoying T.V. and ceiling fan facilities.

Co-rrelation coefficient showed that age, education, farm size , organizational participation, source of information, annual income, cosmpoliteness, decision making ability of the respondents had significant positive relationship in their knowledge change,where education, farm size, number of training, training on eco-friendly agril, source of information, annual income, marketing opportunity showed significant positive relationship with their attitude change.On the other hand education, farm size, training on eco-friendly agril, utilization of training knowledge, source of information, annual income, decision making ability, marketing opportunity and benefit obtained from eco-friendly practices showed significant positive relationships with their adoption change.

Multiple R2 wass 0.715. It implies that all the six selected characteristics like age, education, training on eco-friendly agril farm size ,organizational participation ,source of information explained 71.5 percent total variation of the change in knowledge of the respondents Results of stepwise regression analysis showed that training on eco-friendly agril along explained 41% the total variation in knowledge change. On the other hand training on eco-friendly agriculture and age and education of the respondents exert remarkable variation(72%) on knowledge change towards eco-friendly agricultural practices. On the change in attitude multiple R2 value was 0.703,. It specifies that all the seven selected characteristics like age, education, farm size , training on eco-friendly agri, source of information, organizational participation, Annual income of the respondents explained 70.3 percent total variation of their attitudinal change about eco-friendly practices.

Results from stepwise regression analysis showed that training on eco-friendly agril.along showed 50% total variation in attitudinal change .On he other hand total variation(70%) was explained for ‘training on eco-friendly agril.’ + organizational participation’ +

‘education + ‘farm size’. It indicates that four variables of the respondents collectively exert remarkable effect on their attitude change. Findings presented that multiple R2 value was 0.665. It denotes that the six selected characteristics like age, education,training on eco-friendly agril, organizational participation, farm size explained 66 percent of total variation of the change in adoption. Results from stepwise regression analysis showed that organizational participation along’ explained the total 60% variation in adoption change.

On the other hand organizational participation’ + age+‘education. collectively explained (66%) total variation which showed remarkable effect on adoption change on eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop productions.

Respodents faced the following major problems as by the respondents. (1) “Farmers became bound to use chemical pesticides in case of severe attract”, (2) “Lack of sufficient publicity through different media regarding the use of eco-friendly practices”, (3) “Lack of proper technical knowledge about eco-friendly agricultural practices”, (4) “Lack of awareness of environment pollution”, (5) “Lake of livestock and poultry for necessary excreta”, and gave some suggestions to overcome those problems (1) “increasing opportunity for availability of necessary raw materials for compost, green manures, bio-fertilizer, bio- pesticide, etc.”, (2)“more publicity should be given in different media”,(3) “establishment of adult education for increasing eco-friendly agricultural practices”, (4) “increasing farmers’ awareness on environmental pollution”, (5) “increasing motivational program for rearing more livestock and poultry”, CHAPTER-VI CONCLUSION Based on the major findings of the study and their logical interpretation the following conclusions were made: 1. More than fifty percent of the respondents were medium to younger aged. More than half of the respondents are literate. Ninety percent had the training experience.

Seventy five percent had medium to high contact with source of information. A huge mass of the respondents were under low to medium annual family income categories.

More than four-fifth of the respondents had medium to high cosmopoliteness ‘House of relatives/friends outside own village’got the highest score and ranked first.In decision making ‘Personal / family affairs’ got the highest index score and rank first.

In marketing opportunity ‘Market value of agricultural inputs’ got the highest score and ranked first. In ecological benefits ‘Less use of insecticides/ Pesticides’ scored the highest and ranked first. In PCI got the highest score and ranked first regarding ‘Farmers become bound to use chemical pesticides in case of severe attack’.

2. The impact of eco-friendly practice was measured by knowledge, attitude and adoption differences between pre and post involvement in the ICM program and were positively significant.. In knowledge change the highest score and ranked first regarding the ‘use of mechanical practice of ICM’, rank order of attitude change of the respondents was the highest score and ranked first regarding the item ‘I think organic agro- products should be popularized’ and rank order of adoption change of the respondents scored highest and ranked first regarding the item statements ‘Compost hip preparation.Farmers knowledge about eco-friendly agricultural practices was found significantly increased causing highly favourable attitude resulting significant increased in their adoption.Use of modern seeds,irrigation facilities and ownership of livestockandpoultry and homestead gardening of the

farmers were found increased after their involvement in ICM programcausing better livelihood.’

3. Age , education, farm size, annual family income,training on eco-friendly agrl.,source of information,decision making ability,marketing opportunity shouwed significant relationship with the respondents’ knowledge,attitude and adoption change on ecofriendly agricultural practices.

4. All the six selected characteristics like age, education, training on eco-friendly agril farm size ,organizational participation ,source of information explained 71.5 percent total variation of the change in knowledge,results of stepwise regression analysis showed that training on eco-friendly agril along explained 41% the total variation in knowledge change. On the other hand training on eco-friendly agriculture and age and education of the respondents exert remarkable variation (72%) on knowledge change. The change in attitude multiple R2 value was 0.703,.

It specifies that all the seven selected characteristics like age, education, farm size , training on eco-friendly agri, source of information, organizational participation, Annual income of the respondents explained 70.3 percent total variation of their attitudinal change , results from stepwise regression analysis showed that training on eco-friendly agril.along showed 50% total variation in attitudinal change .On the other hand total variation(70%) was explained for ‘training on eco-friendly agril.’ + organizational participation’ + ‘education + ‘farm size’. It indicates that four variables of the respondents collectively exert remarkable effect on their attitude change. Findings presented that multiple R2 value was 0.665. It denotes that the six selected characteristics like age, education,training on eco-friendly agril, organizational participation, farm size explained 66 percent of total variation of the change in adoption, results from stepwise regression analysis showed that organizational participation along’ explained the total 60% variation in adoption change. On the other hand organizational participation’ + age+‘education. collectively explained (66%) total variation which showed remarkable effect on adoption change on eco-friendly agricultural practices in-crop productions.

5. Severe attack of pests and diseases, lack of proper technical knowledge, unavailability of the ingredients to prepare compost, lack of resistant varieties were identified as major problems faced by the farmer in adopting eco-friendly agricultural practices.

Finally it can be concluded that knowledge, attitude, and adoption of ICM programs farmers’ were found increased on eco-friendly agricultural practices. Hence GOs and NGOs should provide necessary action and support for sustainability of those activities throughout Bangladesh.

CHAPTER-VI RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the above conclusion and experience of the study area the following recommendation were made: 6.2.1 Recommendation for policy formation:

1. Most of the respondents who are medium to younger aged and also education (literacy), training experience, source of information etc. explained most of the variation in knowledge, attitude and adoption regarding eco-friendly agricultural practices. Therefore the concerned authority should initiate massive program focusing upon eco-friendly agriculture.

2. Annual family income and expenditure, cosmopoliteness, marketing opportunity, benefit obtained from ecological agriculture showed the remarkable change in knowledge, attitude and adoption regarding eco-friendly agricultural practices of the respondents, therefore the cosssncerned authority should initiate massive program focusing upon eco-friendly agriculture.

3. The differences between pre and post involvement of the respondent regarding knowledge, attitude and practice showed remarkable results .Therefore, the concerned authority should involve more and more interested farmers in eco-friendly practiced projects.

4. Contact with age +training ion eco-friendly practices + farm size and so on. This type of combination activities contributes a lot for the change in knowledge, attitude and adoption of eco-friendly practices of the respondents. Therefore the concerned authority should initiate massive program focusing upon combination of eco-friendly agriculture.

5. (1) “Farmers became bound to use chemical pesticides in case of severe attract”, (2) “Lack of sufficient publicity through different media regarding the use of eco-friendly practices”, (3) “Lack of proper technical knowledge about eco-friendly agricultural practices”, (4) “Lack of awareness of environment pollution”, (5) “Lake of livestock and poultry for necessary excreta” were the major problems regarding eco-friendly practices in crop production. Therefore the concerned authority should initiate massive program focusing to solve those problems 6.

6.2.2

Recommendation for further study

Based on the experience of the present study some future research directions were proposed as follows: 1. Present study were measured the impact of eco-friendly practices on crop production. Other components of impact on livestock, poultry, fisheries etc. can be included in conducting further research in future.

2. The present study was conducted for five upazillas of the country in order to obtain more findings further research works should be initiated covering more geographical areas.

3. The study was dealt with only twenty socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents in measuring impact of eco-friendly agricultural practices. More socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents should be considered for getting impact in future.

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