EFFECT OF FARMERS CHARACTERISTICS ON ONION YIELD

Transcription

1 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.25, No.3, 2009 EFFECT OF FARMERS CHARACTERISTICS ON ONION YIELD ZAHOOR UL HAQ*, MUHAMMAD ISHAQ**, ARSHAD FAROOQ**, KHURRAM NAWAZ SADDOZAI***, SHUJAAT YAQOOB**** and MUSSAWAR SHAH**** * Department of Agricultural Economics, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan ** Technology Transfer Institute, Tarnab, Peshawar, Pakistan *** Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad, Pakistan **** Department of Rural Sociology, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan ABSTRACT This study was conducted during July 2005 in four villages of Swat district with the objective to examine the effect of farmers circumstances on onion yield. It was observed that farmers in the research area allocated thirty two percent of cropped area to onion crop by cultivating Swat-I and local varieties. The study revealed that farmers having small land holdings, high education level, onion transplanted during the first half of December, more farming experience and have contacts with agriculture department for new technology, received higher yield of onion. Key Words: Onion Yield, Socio-economic circumstances, Swat, Pakistan Citation: Haq. Z., M. Ishaq, A. Farooq, K.N. Saddozai, S. Yaqoob and M. Shah Effect of farmers characteristics on onion yield. Sarhad J. Agric. 25(3): INTRODUCTION Onion is one of the major crops in many tropical countries placed high with other vegetables and used almost daily in a wide variety of dishes. Of the vegetable crops listed by the F.A.O (1995), onion ranks second after tomatoes in terms of total annual world production. According to FAO reports based on the average production from , China is the world leading onion producing country (contributing 31.43% to total production), followed by India (10.22%), Turkey (3.83%), Pakistan (2.97%), Russian Federation (2.84%), Iran (2.80%), Japan (2.35%), Brazil (2.22%) and Spain (1.95%) (FAO, 2004). In Pakistan, there has been spectacular increase in the area and production of onion over the last decade due to heavy domestic consumption and demand on account of increasing population pressure, adoption of improved cultural practices, sufficient inputs and sizeable export demand. However, onion yield in Pakistan is quite low, (10-12 tons/hectare) and is considerably less than the potential yields (22 tons/hectare). This gap between potential and actual yields is due to poor management practices and post harvest losses. Beside this, onion growers do not get enough returns due to poor marketing system. The soil and climatic conditions of NWFP are congenial for the production of various fruits and vegetables and Malakand Division is one of the major zones of vegetable production of the province and a variety of vegetables are grown there. Kharif (summer) vegetables include okra, tinda, brinjal, pumpkin, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, tomato and arum, where as, Rabi (winter) vegetables include onion, turnip, carrot, spinach, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, radish and potato. Onion is among the main cash crops produced and supplied by this area. The division accounts for over 60% of the total onion production in NWFP and Swat district is the major onion growing area of the division (Table I). ]Table I. District wise area and production of onion crop ( ) District (Area in Hectares) (Production in Tonnes) Swat Dir Lower Dir Upper Malakand Chitral Bunir Shangla 3 9 Kohistan 0 0

2 Zahoor ul Haq et al. Effect of farmers characteristics on onion yield 524 Keeping in view the share of onion, in terms of its production and area under this crop, the study was purposively conducted in Swat district with the following specific objectives: i. To investigate into the effect of farmer s circumstances on yield performance. ii. To suggest policy recommendations based on the findings of the study for future planning. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was purposively conducted in Swat district of NWFP during July Four villages namely, Akhonkalay, Dagai, Sharifabad and Kotlay of Kabal Tehsil were selected for data collection to represent the whole area of Swat district. Selection of Sample A sample size is decided based on the require level of accuracy and acceptable sample error. The sample of 60 is generally regarded as the minimum requirement for the unknown population, which will yield a sufficient level of certainty for decision making (Poate and Daplyn, 1993). However, 90 respondents (26 from Kotlay, 23 each from Akhonkalay and Dagai and 18 from Sharifabad) were randomly interviewed to collect the information needed for the study. Data Collection Techniques In order to get the detailed information, interview schedule was used. The interview schedule was prepared in the light of pre-set objectives and efforts were made to cover all the relevant information needed for the study. Before the conduction of actual survey, the interview schedule was pre-tested and modified according to the feedback from the respondents. All the farmers were interviewed on their fields. The interview schedule was written in English but local language Pashto was used to simplify the questions and get accurate information. Beside this, all the respondents were made aware of the purpose of the study. Model Keeping in view the requirements of the study, statistical techniques like averages and percentages were analyzed using SPSS package. For comparison of onion yields among the various categories F-test was used, as the Student s t is intended for comparison of two means and obviously not suited for generalization to more than two means. Hence, F test, a test of significance for a difference, that is, a test of H 0 : µ 1 - µ 2 = 0 versus H 1 : µ 1 - µ 2 0, could involve the ratio of two estimates of δ 2 (Steel and Torrie, 1980), where σ 2 represent variance. F = Estimate of Estimate of 2 σ from means 2 σ from individuals In order to make the comparison easier, the onion growers in the study area were classified on the basis of land holdings (small, medium and large), education level/years of schooling (illiterate, upto five years, 6 to 10 and above 10 years), transplantation time (1 st of December, mid of December and end of December), farming experience (upto 10, and above 20 years) and onion varieties (Desi and Swat-I). The results obtained, based on the above categories, are presented and discussed in the next section. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Operational Landholdings and Onion Yield A number of studies indicated that the size of landholding affects the efficient utilization of resources and type of cropping pattern a farmer will follow. For Example Singh et al. (1981), Chaudry et al. (1985), Mureithi et al. (1992), Kapronczai et al. (1991) and many other researchers have reported that small farms are more efficient than large ones. On the other hand, Griffin (1970) found a positive relationship between farm size and productivity. The onion growers of the area were classified into three categories of operational land holdings viz., upto 5 acres (small), 5.01 to 10 acres (medium) and above 10 acres (large) in order to make the comparison easier. On overall basis, farmers devoted 32.24% of their farm area to onion crop (Table II). It is remarkable that the proportion of the farm

3 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.25, No.3, area devoted to onion crop was more on small farms followed by medium and large farms. More or less the same pattern has been observed by Jehanzeb et al. (2004). Table III depicts that the area farmers possessed 5.59 acres of land holding, which is well below the average land holdings of the Punjab and Sindh provinces. The average land holding in the research area stood at 1.02, 2.74 and acres for small, medium and large farmers respectively. Small farmers obtained higher yields kg hectare -1 (Table IV) followed by farmers having large farm size kg hectare -1 and farmers having medium farm holdings received less yield, kg hectare -1. Our results are in accordance with the results of Singh et al. (1981), Chaudry et al. (1985), Mureithi et. al. (1992), Kapronczai et al. (1991) who reported that small farms are more efficient than large ones. Table II. Percent area allocated to onion crop by sampled farmers Farm Size (acre) Mean Minimum Maximum Overall mean Small (Upto 5acre) Medium ( acre) Large (above 10 acre) Table III. Operational land holding of the sampled farmers (hectare) Land holdings (acre) Mean Minimum Maximum Small (Upto 5 acre) Medium (5.01 to 10 acre) Large (Above 10 acre) Overall Table IV. Operational land holding (acre) of the sampled farmers and yield (kgs hectare -1 ) Farm Size Mean Minimum Maximum Sig. Small (upto 5 acre) Medium (5.01 to 10 acre) Large (Above 10 acre) Total Educational Level and Onion Yield Literacy of farmers influences the adoption of new technology. The literacy level of population also helps in judging the quality of human resources and development stage of the society. Herath (1980) and Sharif (1983), argued that literacy status of the farmers is an important variable, which influences farmers resource allocation efficiency. Data with respect to literacy were collected on the basis of their schooling years viz, illiterate, upto five years of schooling, 6 to 10 years and above 10 years. Farmers with above 10 years of schooling had received higher yields ( kg hectare -1 ) followed by 6 to 10 years of schoolings ( kg hectare -1 ), illiterate farmers ( kg hectare -1 ) and upto 5 years of school received the lowest yield ( kg hectare -1 ). However, the difference between onion yield of farmers having different education level is not statistically significant. Table V. Educational level (years of schooling) of the sampled farmers and yield (kgs hectare -1 ) Education N Mean Minimum Maximum Sig. Illiterate 28 (31%) Primary (Upto 5 years) 7 (8%) Upto matric (6 to 10 years) 43 (48%) Above 10 years 12 (13%) Farming Experience and Onion Yield Farming experience of the respondents is another important variable, which affects the decision of farmers. Data were collected on the basis of their involvement in the farming (years) and classified into three categories (Upto 10, and above 20 years of farming). Data show that farmers had more farming experience above 20 years received higher yield ( kg hectare -1 ) followed by upto 10 years of farming experience ( kg hectare -1 ) and to 20 years farming experience got the lowest yield ( kgs hectare -1 ). But differences in yield were not statistically significant (Table VI)

4 Zahoor ul Haq et al. Effect of farmers characteristics on onion yield 526 Table VI. Farming experience of the sampled farmers and yield (kgs hectare -1 ) Farming Experience N Mean Minimum Maximum Sig. Upto 10 years 28 (31%) to 20 years 33 (37%) Above 20 years 29 (32%) Seed Rate and Onion Yield The farmers used recommended seed rate (3 to 4 kgs) got higher yields kgs hectare -1 followed by above 4 kgs of seed ( kgs hectare -1 ) and the farmers used below recommended seed rate (1 to 2.999) received the lowest yield ( kgs hectare -1 ). The difference in yield at three levels is statistically different. Table VII. Seed rate used by the sampled farmers and yield (kgs hectare -1 ) Seed Rate N Mean Minimum Maximum Sig. Below Recommended (1 to 2.9 kgs) 12 (13%) Recommended (3 to 4 kgs) 49 (55%) Above recommended (above 4 Kgs) 29 (32%) Onion Varieties and Onion Yield According to the researchers, variety is an important factor affecting farmers yields. The speed with which new varieties are released and diffused to the farming population is an important factor influencing the benefits realized from plant breeding. Diffusion of new varieties ensures continuing increase in productivity through the increased yield potential of new varieties; it reduces the time lapse from the investment in research to the time the benefits are realized, thereby increasing the returns to research; and it helps to maintain genetic resistance to diseases and pests (Heisey, 1990). In the study area Desi variety was very popular and grown by majority 93% of the farmers and received higher yield ( kg hectare -1 ) followed by Swat-I 7% farmers cultivated and got yield kg hectare -1. It is irony that Swat district is famous for onion cultivation but due to lack of knowledge regarding the improved varieties and their management practices the farmers cultivated Desi varieties and got higher yield as compared to improved variety of Swat-I. Table VIII shows that difference between desi and improves variety is not statistically significant. Table VIII. Onion varieties cultivated by the sampled farmers and yield (kgs hectare -1 ) Variety N Mean Minimum Maximum Sig. Desi 84 (93%) Swat-I 6 (7%) Agriculture Information and Onion Yield The farmers who were in contact with agriculture department regarding improved agriculture technologies received higher yield kg hectare -1 and the farmers who did not consult agriculture department received less yield kg hectare -1. However, difference in yield is not statistically significant. Transplanting Time and Onion Yield In the study area majority (62%) of the farmers transplanted onion seedlings in the mid of December followed by farmers transplanting in the end of December (26%) and 1st of December (12%), respectively. The table indicates that farmers transplanted onion seedling in the 1st of December received higher yield ( kg ha -1 ) followed by farmers transplanting onion seedlings in mid of December ( kg ha -1 ) and end of December ( kg ha -1 ) in the study area, respectively.

5 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.25, No.3, Table IX. Farmers contact with agriculture department and yield (kgs hectare -1 ) Description N Mean Minimum Maximum Sig. Yes 43(48%) No 47(52%) Table X. Seedlings transplanted by the sampled farmers and yield (kgs hectare -1 ) Planting Date N Mean Minimum Maximum Sig. Ist of December 11(12%) Mid of December 56(62%) End of December 23(26%) CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Pakistan, the land of more than 166 million people with an area of 796,096 sq. km, is one of the few countries blessed with diversity of agro-ecological conditions and well drained fertile soils which facilitate the production of almost all kinds of horticultural crops. However, onion yield in Pakistan is quite low, (10-12 tons/hectare) and is considerably less than the potential yields (22 tons/hectare). The gap between potential and actual yields is very wide, due to lack of education, poor management practices and lack of farmers linkages with agriculture department. i. There is an urgent need to strengthen the agricultural research and extension systems of the province to release and diffuse the high yielding and disease resistant varieties. ii. Research programmes should include evolution of high yielding varieties showing maximum potential for various climatic and soil conditions. New varieties may be evolved which should be fertilizer responsive, and can grow well under less water conditions and resistant to pests and diseases. iii. Keeping in view the importance of the crop number of demonstration plots and field days for broader improved varietal coverage should be increased at village level. REFERENCES Chaudry, M.G., M.A. Gill and G.M. Chaudry Farm size productivity relationship in Pakistan's agriculture in the seventies. Paper 2 nd AGM, of Pak. Soc. of Dev. Economists, May 12-14, Islamabad. FAO. Griffin, K The green revolution: An economic analysis. U. N. Res. Instt., Geneva. Heisey, P.W Accelerating the transfer to wheat breeding gains to farmers: A study of the dynamics of varietal replacement in Pakistan. CIMMYT Res. Report No.1, Mexico, D.F. Mexico. Herath, M.G.H Resource allocation by rice farmers in Sri Lanka : A decision theoretic approach. Ph.D Thesis, Univ. of New Armidale, Australia. Jehanzeb and N. Ghulam Onion marketing in Swat. Tech. Report, Restructuring of Hort. Res. and Dev. Proj. in NWFP. ARI, Tarnab, Peshawar. Kapronczai, I. and J. Tomka Cost, price and earnings parameters in large and small agricultural enterprises. Eastren Europ. Econ. 30(2): Maureithi, L.P., B.F. Makau and I. Ahmad Biotechnology and farm size in Kenya biotechnology: A hope or a threat? 79-93; 8 Basigstorke, UK; Mcmillan Press Ltd. Poate, C.D. and P.F. Daplyn Data for agrarian development. Cambridge Univ. Press. Sharif, M The Effect of risk on the choice of optimal cropping pattern by farmers in Faisalabad District. Master Dissert., Univ. of New England, Armidale, Australia. Singh, I Small farmers and landlessness in South Asia. Monograph for the World Bank. Steel, G.D.R. and J.H. Torrie Principles and procedures of statistics: A biometric approach. 2 nd Ed. McGraw-Hill Book Co.

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