Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Farmers Regarding Eggplant Bacterial Wilt Disease

Abstract

Bacterial wilt disease causes major crop yield losses and affects agricultural production, particularly in developing countries. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of farmers regarding bacterial wilt disease of eggplant and to assess their level of understanding of the disease. Data were collected from 60 eggplant farmers through face-to-face interviews in selected villages of Dumuria Upazila, Khulna District, using a structured interview schedule during the period from June 4 to June 7, 2022. Information was collected on ten selected characteristics of the farmers, namely age, educational qualification, family size, farming experience, eggplant farming experience, farm size, annual income, organizational participation, extension media contact, and training on eggplant farming. The study revealed that farming experience showed a positive relationship with farmers’ knowledge regarding bacterial wilt disease, whereas family size had a negative relationship. The majority (75%) of the farmers had a medium level of knowledge, followed by low knowledge (13.3%), while 11.7% had a high level of knowledge regarding bacterial wilt disease of eggplant. Most of the farmers (45%) had a highly favorable attitude toward bacterial wilt disease management, followed by a moderately favorable attitude (26.7%). About 15% of the farmers had a very highly favorable attitude, whereas 13.3% had a low favorable attitude. The majority of the farmers (68.3%) demonstrated a medium level of practice in managing bacterial wilt disease, followed by a high level of practice (28.3%). Only a small proportion (3.3%) of the farmers had a low level of practice. Among the ten selected characteristics, family size, annual income, and organizational participation showed a positive relationship with farmers’ attitudes toward bacterial wilt disease of eggplant. Educational level and extension media contact showed a significant positive relationship with farmers’ management practices.