Abstract:
Crop management practices play a crucial role in agricultural development and have a significant socio-economic impact on farming communities. This research aims to assess the socio-economic impact of crop management practices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Through comprehensive surveys and interviews with farmers, this research provides insights into the potential benefits and challenges associated with adopting crop management practices in the region. The data collected reveals that a significant portion (41%) of the farmers were young, aged up to 30 years with primary/middle level of education. In terms of farming experience, majority (50.7%) had 11-20 years of experience while 61.3% owned landholdings of less than 5 acres. Regarding the impact on income, the findings show that 27.3% of respondents experienced a substantial increase after implementing crop management practices. Additionally, 22.7% reported a reduction in financial stress as a result of adopting these practices. The study also identifies challenges hindering the adoption of these practices, with limited extension services being the most significant obstacle. By conducting a simple regression analysis, the research demonstrates that demographic factors such as age, education level and household income significantly influence the likelihood of farmers adopting crop management practices. It is concluded that implementing efficient crop management practices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has the potential to significantly enhance crop productivity, increase income generation, and improve the financial well-being of farmers. To encourage wider adoption, interventions and extension services should be customized to align with the demographic characteristics of farmers, particularly targeting younger farmers with higher education levels and higher household incomes. Establishing platforms, such as farmer cooperatives, community-based organizations, or online networks, allows farmers to share experiences, learn from each other, and promote the adoption of effective crop management practices through collaboration and knowledge dissemination. The findings of this study are valuable for policymakers, agricultural stakeholders, and farmers in understanding the significance of implementing efficient crop management practices for sustainable agricultural development.
Page(s):
18-18
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, August 27-31, 2023 , Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
Pakistan
,
agricultural development
,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
,
crop productivity
,
Socioeconomic impact
,
Income generation
,
Employment opportunities
,
food security and rural livelihoods
,
Crop management practices