Effectiveness of sustainable agricultural practices as perceived by the vegetable farmers: a study in selected areas of Mymensingh district

Innovation in technology and sustainable farming techniques are essential for increasing agricultural output, guaranteeing food security, and fostering economic expansion. The main purposes of the research were to evaluate the perceived efficacy of sustainable agricultural practices among vegetable farmers, to identify the factors that may influence the perceived efficacy, and to outline the problems faced by farmers while using sustainable agricultural practices. Between February and March of 2024, data was collected from the Bhangnamari Union of Gouripur upazila (sub-district) of Mymensingh district. A total of 108 vegetable farmers were selected as a sample from a population of 148 using Slovin’s technique. The respondents were chosen by using a simple random sampling technique for the purpose of conducting interviews. A 4-point rating scale was employed to assess the perceived effectiveness on 12 common sustainable agricultural practices related to soil management, insect-pest management, intercultural operation, fertilizer management, etc. that are available in the study area. The majority of the vegetable farmers (74.07%) moderately perceived the effectiveness of sustainable agricultural practices. The analysis from multiple linear regression showed that training received, organizational involvement, extension contact, and knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices were the significant factors towards the perceived effectiveness where the stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that extension contact alone was accounted for 69.6% of the variance in perceived effectiveness. The study also found that most vegetable producers (59.25%) encountered a significant problem while using sustainable agricultural practices and ‘high intensity of insects and diseases’ was the top ranked problem. It is recommended that development agencies such as the Department of Agricultural Extension, and other relevant non-government organizations should take appropriate measures, i.e., providing regular need-based training, conducting method and result demonstrations, organizing field days etc. to improve the perceived effectiveness of sustainable agricultural practices by the vegetable farmers.