Farmers’ Perception Regarding Use of Cattle Manure In The Crop Field

Abstract

The study was conducted at five villages namely: Bokainagor, Ramgopalpur, Dowhakhola, Shahagonj and Achintapur of Gouripur upazila of Mymensingh district to observe farmers’ perception regarding use of manure in crop field. Data were collected from 10 farmers in each village through personal interview using an interview schedule. The farmers had more number of cows (6.68±0.49) followed by bulls (2.58±0.27), bullocks (2.04±0.20) and goats (2.88±0.35). The data also indicated that there was a high level of crop-livestock interaction among the smallholders in the study area. Average 15.41±0.70kg, 16.12±0.39kg and 16.13±1.71kg cowdung produced per cattle per day from small, medium and large size farms, respectively the production of Aman rice (t/ha) was highest in large farm (1.05±0.05) followed by medium (0.98±0.03) and small farm (0.92±0.05). Production of Boro rice (t /ha) also showed similar trends,being highest in large farm (1.58±0.05) followed by medium (1.49±0.03) and small farm (1.37±0.05). Cattle population, distribution and manure output were also described. Options for cattle manure management includes on-farm crop production, off-farm crop production, non-agricultural uses and discharge to the environment. In correlation study, significant and positive relationship was found in case of total land size between homestead area, fodder area, crop area, homestead forest, uncultivated land and pond. Only pond between homestead area and uncultivated land relationship were non- significant.