Identification Of The Gaps Between Farmers' Practices And Good Agricultural Practices In Crop Husbandry

Abstract

Good agricultural practices (GAP) are important for producing good quality food minimizing health risk and improving situations relating economy, environmental sustainability and workers health. The study was conducted at Dumuria upazila of Khulna to identify the gaps between farmers' practices and GAP. Most of the farmers (63%) had medium knowledge on the practices under GAP and 82% of the farmers had highly favorable attitude towards GAP. Farmers did occasional practice regarding planting materials (93%) and the gaps were identified in 'record of planting materials if obtained from another farm' (100%), 'record of seed quality' (96.50%) and 'record of fertilizers and chemicals used' (94.75%). Most of the farmers' (91%) practices regarding fertilizers and soil additives were often, gaps were identified in 'record keeping of the source, product name, date, quantity obtained' (96.50%),'to minimize the risk of heavy metal contamination' (94.50%), 'application of fertilizers and soil additives based upon soil analysis' (93.50%), 'assessment of the chemical and biological risks related to fertilizers and soil additives' (92%). The farmers did the practices related to water (irrigation) often (80%) and gaps were identified in 'where water testing is required, frequency of testing' (96%). The respondents (92%) did the practices under 'chemicals' often and gaps were identified in 'record of chemicals' (99.50%), 'record of application for each crop' (99.50%), 'records of chemicals in storage' (93.50%), 'harvesting as per the pre harvest interval period mentioned on the label' (89.50%), 'IPM'(70.75%). In case of harvesting and handling produce 97% farmers did the practices often and gaps were identified in 'shatter proof lights in packing house' (100%), 'applying specific test on produce if required' (99.75%), 'construction of sewage, waste disposal and drainage systems to minimize contamination' (99.50%), 'training workers in personal hygiene' (96%), 'calibrating measuring devices for ensuring. correct measurement' (95.25%), 'availability of toilets and hand washing facilities to workers maintaining hygiene' (92.25%). Farmers had severe problem against practicing GAP (94%); 'not being able to understand the necessity of GAP' ranked 1st followed by 'unavailability of information of GAP' and 'lack of Govt. policy' ranked 2nd and 3rd. Farmers age had significant negative correlation with 'chemicals' and 'harvesting and handling produce related practices', farm size had significant negative ov'- correlation with 'fertilizers and soil additives' related practices, 'knowledge on GAP' had significant positive correlation with 'chemicals' and 'harvesting and handling produce' . Key words: GAP, knowledge on GAP, planting materials, fertilizers and soil additives water, chemicals, harvesting and handling produce