Knowledge, Attitude and Management Practices of Farmers Regarding Chili Wilt Disease at Dumuria Upazila

Abstract

Chili wilt disease causes major crop yield losses and affect production in low-income farmers. A limited understanding by farmers about the identity ofplant diseases, transmission pathways and appropriate management methods is a key way to control that. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and management practices of the farmers regarding chili wilt disease to know their level of understanding. Data were collected from 105 chili farmers of Dumuria upazila in Khulna district through personal interview method by the researcher himself using an interview schedule during 15th December to 10th April, 2020. Farmers knowledge, attitude and management practices regarding chili wilt disease were the dependent variables and the nine selected characteristics of the respondents considered as the independent variables of the study. Majority (56.2%) of the respondents had high knowledge and followed by 43.80/0 of them had medium knowledge. As well as majority (89.5%) of them had high attitude and mostly (84.8%) of the respondents had medium management practices. Among the selected characteristics of the respondent's educational qualification, annual family income, extension media contact, extent of factors affecting chili wilt disease and net return of the respondents showed a significant positive relationship with their extent of knowledge, attitude and management practices while age and farming experience showed a significant negative relationship with their extent of knowledge, attitude and management practices. Out of 10 identified factors that affects chili wilt disease, respondents indicate "High rainfall" as the highest factor followed by "Farmers equipment" was the lowest one.