EXPLORING FARMERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS YIELD GAP MINIMIZATION OF RICE: A CASE FROM MYMENSINGH DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Abstract

Farmers’ understanding of yield gap is necessary to increase rice yield and meet the rising demand for rice in Bangladesh. An investigation was conducted to explore the farmers’ attitudes towards yield gap minimization of rice in Muktagachha sub-district, Mymensingh District, Bangladesh. From February to April 2019, data was collected utilizing a structured interview schedule from 100 randomly selected rice growers. Descriptive statistics, rank order, coefficient of correlation, and multiple linear regression were used to examine the data. The findings revealed that almost all of the rice farmers had moderately (62.22%) to highly (37.78%) favourable attitudes towards yield gap minimization of rice in the investigation region. Among twenty attitudinal statements, ‘measurement of yield gap of rice is very easy for the farmers’ was identified as the most important one. The least ranked statement was ‘political problems act as a barrier to minimize rice yield gap’. According to the results of the correlation analysis, participation in organization, extension media interaction, training received, knowledge of adoption of HYV, and innovativeness were positively and significantly related with farmers’ attitudes towards yield gap minimization of rice. Results of regression analysis showed that organizational participation, extension media interaction, training received, knowledge of adoption of HYV, and innovativeness made significant contributions to favourable attitudes of the farmers towards yield gap minimization of rice. Expanding research, monitoring transfer of technology, providing simple access to extension agents, and developing farmers’ knowledge and skills through effective training could all help to close the rice yield gap.