Farmers’ Attitude towards Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies under National Agricultural Technology Program in Bangladesh

Abstract

The aim of study was to assess the socio-demographic characteristics of farmers, to determine the farmers’ attitude towards Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies as well as to explore the relationship between the characteristics of farmers and attitude to CSA technologies. The primary data were collected using an interview schedule from a sample of 98 farmers in Dinajpur district of northern Bangladesh. Besides the descriptive statistical parameter, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) was used for statistical analysis. Findings indicated the highest proportion (77.6%) of the farmers had moderately favorable attitude followed by 11.2% highly favorable attitude and similarly 11.2% slightly favorable attitude towards CSA technologies. Rank order of farmers’ attitude towards climate smart technologies indicated that the statements such as “vermi-compost increases the productivity of crop” ranked 1st while “regular monitoring for eco-friendly cultivation is difficult” had 2nd position. According to the computed correlation coefficients (r) value, among 10 socio-demographic characteristics of farmers, five characteristics such as education, farm size, annual income, organizational participation, and extension media contact had positive significant relationship with attitude of farmers towards CSA technologies. The highest problem faced by the farmers in implementing climate smart technologies was found on ‘price of vermi species is high and not easily available’. It is recommended that problems faced by the farmers should give emphasis and be overcome during executing the programs of climate-smart agricultural technologies. However, Government and non-government organizations should take necessary steps to maximize individual, group and mass contact methods on CSA technologies as well as to increase the opportunities for organizational participation, training and credit facilities. The findings of this research can also serve as a model for similar studies in other part of the country or in other developing regions where climate-smart agriculture is essential for food security and livelihood  development.