Factor Analysis towards Perception on Potato Production Technologies by Potato Growers in Bangladesh

Abstract

Perception is an awareness and interpretation of a stimulus, object or action. Thus, a farmer perceives in his own way of thinking to adopt or practice a new technology provided it meets his own interests, goals and felt needs. Hence, a study was undertaken with the objective to find out the contribution of factors towards the perception level on production technologies by potato growers. The study was carried out in the Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. Two hundred thirty two farmers were randomly selected as potato growers for data collection from 20 villages under the Upazilla, namely Mohonpur, Bagmara and Durgapur from this district. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect the data from the respondents in July 2010 to February 2011. Out of 11 technologies in relation to perception of potato production, ‘use of quality seed’ was at top highest ranking by the perception index where as planting space was bottom lowest. Data indicated that more or less similar percentage had medium and high perception where as 26.29% had low perception towards the potato production technologies. Pearson correlation test depicted that out of 24 variables, 12 had significant positive relationship with the perception of potato production technologies. Result of stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that three variables namely grower's education, ownership of agricultural implements and socio-economic status contributed significantly which combindly explained 61.50% of the total variation to the potato production technologies. Path analysis indicated that these variables had both direct and indirect effects to the perception behaviour. Potato growers who had more educated, more agricultural implements to use modern technology and more social status in his society were found to better perception of potato production technologies.