Date &Time: November 21th (Wed.) 2018, 13:30-15:00
Place: Conference Room on the 4th floor of the Research Bldg.No.2, ASAFAS

Title: Assessment of farmers’ attitude towards the use of Inorganic and Organic fertilizers for rice cultivation in central Myanmar

Presenter: Dr. Swe Swe Mar, Visiting Research Scholar, Department of
Cross-Regional Studies, CSEAS

Moderator: Prof. Kazuo ANDO, CSEAS, Kyoto University

Abstract:
The use of mineral and organic fertilizers may alleviate the problem of declining soil fertility and hence lead to increased crop yields.
Fertilizers play an important role in the maintenance of soil fertility in modern agriculture. A study was conducted to determine factors level of general knowledge of fertilizer use, to assess farmers` attitude towards use of inorganic and organic fertilizers by farmers, to determine farmers` adoption rate of fertilizer and ascertain the constraints associated with the adoption (usage) of inorganic and organic fertilizer by farmers. The purpose of the study was to assess farmers’ knowledge on fertilizer usage for rice production. A survey of 164 randomly sampled farmers was conducted using a standard questionnaire. An interview schedule was the main tool of data collection while descriptive statistics were the main analytical technique. The information related to the availability, distance to travel for the purchasing of fertilizer, types of fertilizers, and recommended doses were also collected. The study revealed that high cost of fertilizers, lack of credit were the main reasons for difficulties faced by respondents in obtaining chemical fertilizers. Eighty-six percent of the farmers used mineral fertilizers especially urea to improve soil fertility, but the use of organic manures such as cow dung was very low even though it was available. Limited knowledge on fertilizer use and management among the farmers and high market prices of mineral fertilizers constrained their usage. Of the farmers interviewed, 89% in Kyee Inn, 65% in Thit Tat and 40 % in chiba had inadequate credit. The 79 % of the farmers had infestation of pests in Kyee Inn and 49% in Thit Tat and 65 % in Chiba. Furthermore, 91% of the farmers in Kyee Inn village could not available the required quantities of water due to limited water resources from Nga like Dam. Up to 91% of the farmers in Kyee Inn, 49 % in Thit Tat and 54% in Chiba had the attitude towards fertilizer use as necessary for crop to do well.
However, 79% of the farmers in Kyee Inn, 46% in Thit Tat and 91% in Chiba faced the attitude of increased production cost. Manure was rare and also transportation costs were high. Over 37% of the farmers in Kyee Inn village stored manure in the open leading to significant losses of nutrients. Based on the results of this study, Extension services, especially with regards to information on the appropriate use of mineral and organic fertilizers, were not available to most farmers.

About the Presenter:
Swe Swe is a Lecturer, Yezin Agricultural University, Myanmar. Her specialization is soil science. Her responsibility is teaching under graduate and post graduate students of Yezin Agricultural University.
From 2007 to 2012, she studied master and doctor degree at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology under the supervision of Professor Dr. Masanori OKAZAKI and Professor Dr. Koki TOYOTA.