Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Vegetable Growers' Attitude towards GAP in Narsingdi District of Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh's food security and rural livelihoods heavily rely on vegetable cultivation, and implementing GAP promotes sustainable farming practices and environmental protection. This study explored the attitudes of vegetable growers in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, about Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). The goal was to offer data-driven suggestions to enhance smallholders' adoption of GAP. That’s why a stratified proportional random sample survey of 252 vegetable producers in six upazilas of Narsingdi was carried out by researchers using a mixed-methods strategy. A 15-statement attitude scale (score range: 15 to 75) was utilized to assess attitudes regarding GAPs. Six focus group discussions were held to acquire the true limitations, and SPSS was used to evaluate the quantitative data. Findings indicate that the majority of responders are middle-aged (59.5%), have secondary education (50.4%), and run small farms (36.9%). While organizational engagement and training exposure are varied, extension contact is usually medium (66.7%). Farmers' attitudes regarding GAP are, on average, 51.09 percent, with 47.2 percent being highly favorable and 36.9 percent being somewhat positive. A strong correlation was found between positive attitudes and training experience (r = 0.491**), education (r = 0.598**), and extension contact (r = 0.621**). Pest and disease resistance, inexperience, poor training, resource and financial limits, record-keeping costs, and low market incentives for GAP-certified food were among the main obstacles. Farmers appreciate food safety, nutrition, and environmental benefits, but they encounter real-world obstacles that prevent adoption. Enhancing the favorable attitude of vegetable growers toward adoption can be achieved through appropriate monitoring and evaluation, strengthening extension ability, supporting smallholder-friendly GAP adoption, and creating market incentives through buyer alliances and consumer awareness initiatives.