CONSTRAINTS IN CULTIVATING BARI ALU25 (ASTERIX) IN MUNSHIGANJ AND RANGPUR DISTRICTS OF BANGLADESH

ABSTRACT: BARI alu25 (Asterix) is a popular potato variety released by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute in 2005. The present research was carried out to identify the problems confronted by BARI alu25 growers. The study was carried out in Sirajdikhan and Tongibari upazilas under Munshiganj district, and Pirgacha and Mithapukur upazilas under Rangpur district. Data were collected from 80 growers including 40 from each district following disproportionate random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used for expression of results. Findings reveal that majority of the respondents (68.8%) faced moderate problems in BARI alu25 cultivation followed by low (18.8%) and high problems (12.5%), respectively. Lack of proper management in cold storage and no arrangement for compensation were the top ranked problems followed by minimal price of potato during production boom, high cold storage charge and unavailability and high price of input, respectively. Respondents’ level of education, training experience, extension contact and cosmopoliteness had significant contribution to their problems faced in BARI alu25 cultivation. Growers’ training experience was the most significant contributing factor to their problems confrontation. The concerned authority may arrange more functional training, impart more agricultural advices and assistance, and arrange adult education facilities for the farmers to solve their problems. 

Keywords: BARI alu25, Asterix, problems, cold storage, market price