Abstract:
This paper presents findings of a study on the barriers faced by small farmers in adopting
the integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) for sustainable farming development. The study
was conducted in 3 villages in the central sub-district of Narail, in Bangladesh. Data were
collected through interviews with 110, randomly selected farmers. The majority were found
to use plant nutrient sources either inadequately or only moderately. Manure was found to
be used much less frequently than fertilizers, even though in the past it was the main source
of soil nutrients for farmers in the region. The results indicate that more than three quarters
of the farmers questioned confronted moderate barriers in adopting IPNS, while 20% faced
severe barriers. In addition the barriers faced were found to be inversely proportional to the
farmers’ education level, farm size, innovativeness, extension contact network, knowledge
of the IPNS technique and the perceived benefits of using manure.
