ROLE OF EXTENSION SERVICES ON THE FARM PRODUCTIVITY OF DISTRICT SWAT (A CASE STUDY OF TWO VILLAGES)

Transcription

1 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 3, No. 4, 007 ROLE OF EXTENSION SERVICES ON THE FARM PRODUCTIVITY OF DISTRICT SWAT (A CASE STUDY OF TWO VILLAGES) Sheeraz Ahmad **, Muhammad Jamal ***, Arbab Ikramullah *** and Himayathullah *** ABSTRACT Present study was conducted in district Swat to study the role of extension services on the farm productivity. Hundred respondents, fifty from each of the two villages were selected. The respondents were interviewed about their education, tenurial status, farm size, area and production of crops impact of extension services, adoption of improved farm technology and their general problems. It was found that 57 % respondents were literate. 7% were owner operators, 0 % were owner cum tenant and 9 % respondents were tenants. 4 % respondents were having small farms (below 0 acres), 6 were medium (0.-5 acres) and 3 had large land holdings (5 and acres above). 87 % of the sample farmers were getting agricultural information from extension department, radio/tv (53%), NGO s (60%), other farmers (74%) and landlords (8%). 5 % of the respondents reported that extension staff visited them once in a month, 34 % said that extension worker comes after two months. 5 % farmers stated that they didn t see any extension agent at all. The extension effect on rice output was found to be 6 %, onion 47 % and tomato 37 %. The extension effect on the productivity of peach and plum was not visible. The major problems faced by the sample farmers were lack of credit facilities, improper marketing, pests and diseases, lack of fertilizer and irrigation. This need due consideration by the Govt. Merely transfer of recent advances in crop production technology will not result in increased crop yield unless farmers have an easy access to inputs and credit. Keywords: Extension services, Agriculture, farmer education, production INTRODUCTION Pakistan has predominantly an Agrarian economy. Agriculture is the major source of income of majority of the population. However, agriculture productivity is still lagging behind its potential level. In order to meet the requirements of rapidly growing population, agricultural production has to be increased. This can be done by adopting modern techniques of farming. New technologies developed by researchers are disseminated among the farmers by agricultural extension department. In addition, agricultural extension provides the farmers with management, decision making and organizational skills. It provides feed-back and keeps agricultural research abreast of real problems faced by the farmers. Thus extension service play very important role in the agricultural development and has been evaluated by many workers. Adam (988) defined agricultural extension as advice and assistance for farmers to help them improve their methods of production and marketing. Khan (999) concluded that extension services other than Agriculture Extension Department NWFP were more influential in bringing changes and solving the farmer s problems related to crop production. He further reported that literate farmers were more efficient than illiterate farmers. Himayatullah (995) concluded that large farmers and owner operators were relatively, technically more efficient than small farmers and tenants. Bravo and Evenson (994) reported that economic efficiency of crop production can be brought about through an improvement in educational status of the farmer and the extension services being provided. Duraisamy (99) examined the economic effect of farmer s education and extension contacts. He concluded that one year increase in the education of the head of the farm household increased rice output by % and the gross sales value from all crops by 4 %. The extension effect on rice output was found to be about 6 % and on the gross value about 0 %. These results called for more investment in formal schooling in rural areas and extension services to accelerate agricultural growth. Klocek (99) considered cooperation with extension services beneficial for increased crop yields. Olson (99) concluded that the greatest constraint to the adoption of improved technologies was the high cost of labor and inputs. For improved technologies to be adopted and properly used, farmers must be supported by extension services. Ali et al. (987) observed that majority of the farmers did not adopt modern techniques of crop production because of ignorance and lack of finance to purchase inputs. Naz (987) reported that due to better extension services in tehsil Shakargarh district Sialkot, majority of the farmers adapted to a great extent the use of chemical fertilizer, soil preparation, improved crop varieties and plant protection measure. Ali and Iqbal (984) observed that the factors obstructing adoption of new technology were mainly institutional in nature emerging from various public polices regarding prices, supply of seed and fertilizer, credit, technology transfer programs. Hayat (98) studied the work of the Punjab extension and agriculture development project in Sargodha District and concluded that 86 % of agriculture officers and 53 % field assistants were not even aware of the area under their jurisdiction in Sargodha district. Out of 5 farmers interviewed, 89% were aware of Institute of Development Studies, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar - Pakistan

2 Sheeraz Ahmad et al. Role of Extension Services on Farm Productivity 66 extension department. He also pointed out that generally large farmers were taken as contact farmers which reflect that extension activities were class bound. However some of the contact farmers were even unsatisfied with the capabilities of the field staff. Ahmad (98) reported that in Tehsil Sheikupura, the contact farmers adopted improved agricultural practices more than the non contact farmers. Muhammad (98) observed that majority of respondents in Shahkot area of Punjab were never visited by workers of the agricultural extension department. The present study was aimed to evaluate the role of extension services on farm productivity and farmers perception about agricultural extension services of NWFP in district Swat. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted in district Swat which is inhabited by poor and small scale farmers with average land holdings of one hectare per family. In addition, modern farm implements and agricultural research and extension services are easily available in this area. Two villages (Kota and Aboha) of Union Council Musa Khel were selected for the study. Data were collected through a household level survey through a questionnaire already set in light of the objectives of the study. 00 respondents (50 from each village) were selected using systematic random sampling technique. During the interview session with the farmer, every effort was made to get the correct and reliable information. Before collecting the actual data, the interview schedule was pretested. Changes in the in interview schedule were made in the light of pre testing session. Data were statistically analyzed using t-test to examine the difference between the average yields of farmers who utilized extension services and those who did not. The formula of t-test is given as follows: t = ( S ( X with degree of X ) d / n ) + ( S o / n ) (S / n + S / n ) freedom v = ( S / n ) ( S / n ) + n n Where X = Mean of sample X = Mean of sample do = Difference between two population mean S = Variance of sample S = Variance of sample n = No. of respondents in sample n = No. of respondents in sample RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Distribution of sample respondents by Literacy status Education is a measure for judging the quality of human resources and development stage of a society. It is one of the most vital instruments which can bring about a change in the attitude of society towards the acceptance of new ideas and influence farmer s response to modern techniques of farming. The literacy status of the farmers might have a direct bearing on the adoption of improved farm technology and farm productivity. Data presented in Table-I revealed that 57% of the respondents were literate. Out of these, 6% were in Kota and 5 % in Aboha. Tenurial status of the sample respondents Data given in Table II showed that 7 % of the respondents were owner, almost equal number in both the villages. Ten percent were owner/tenants (6 % in village Kota and 4 % in Aboha). Only 9 % respondents were found to be tenants (6 % in village Kota and % in Aboha. Distribution of sample respondents by Farm size. Data given in Table III indicates that 4 % of the sample respondents were having small land holding (0 % in Kota and 64 % in village Aboha). Respondents with medium farm size (0-5 acres) were 6 % of the total population (30 % in Kota and % in village Aboha). Thirty two percents of the sample respondents had large farms (more than 5 acres of land). Out of this 50 % were found in village Kota and 4 % in Aboha. Distribution of respondents by awareness about agricultural extension services Data given in Table IV shows the sources of agricultural information where the growers got benefit to improve their productivity. The data reveals that 87 % of the sample respondents were aware of the agricultural extension department in the area. Hayat (98) reported similar observation that 89 % of the sample respondents were aware of extension department in district Sargodha. The data further revealed that 53 % of the respondents benefited from radio/tv programs. Only six percent of the respondents were aware about NGO s services. Many respondents (74 %) got help from other farmers to increase their production. Only 8 % respondents contacted big land lords who had comparatively more knowledge about advanced crop production technology. Response of sample farmers regarding visit of extension staff Data given in Table V indicates the linkage between farmers and Extension workers in the

3 Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 3, No. 4, study area. It is evident from the data that more than 50 % of the sample respondents were visited by extension staff in each month. Thirty four percent of the respondents were visited by extension staff on bi-monthly basis. This is a good progress the extension department has shown. Only 5 % of respondents were not seen by extension staff. Naturally it is not possible for extension staff to approach to 00 % farmers in any area because of many constraints. These finding are not in agreement to that of Muhammad (98) where majority (96 %) of the respondents (Shakot area of Punjab) were of the view that they were not visited by any extension staff. Distribution of sample respondent s by adoption of improved production practices Data given in Table VI indicated that 8 % respondents adopted the cultivation of improved varieties of rice, vegetable and fruit plants. Seventy percent of the respondents used certified seeds. Deep tillage was found to be practiced by 79 % of the respondents. Eighty seven percent respondents planted their crops at optimum time while 68 % respondents adopted the application of recommended doses of fertilizers. Forty one percent of the sample respondent used pesticides, while 80 % respondents applied optimum number of irrigation to their crops. Naz (987) also reported that due to better extension services in Shakargarh area (Sialkot Punjab), majority of the farmers adopted to a great extent the use of chemical fertilizer, soil preparation, improved crop varieties and plant protection measure. Impact of extension services on rice yield of the sample respondents Data given in Table VII indicated the impact of extension services on rice yield. Based on t-test analysis, the data revealed that yield of farmers to whom extension services were available (8.59 tones / acre), was significantly greater at 5% level of probability than those who were deprived of extension services (5.33 tones /acre). Thus there was 6 % increase in rice yield. Bravo and Evenson (994) reported similar results. They mentioned that economic efficiency of crop production can be brought about through an improvement in educational status of the farmer and the extension services being provided. These results are also in agreement with that reported by Duraisamy (99) who found the extension effect on rice output as about 6 % and on the gross value about 0 %. Klocek (99) also considered cooperation with extension services beneficial for increased crop yields. Impact of extension services on onion yield of the sample respondents Data given in Table VIII indicated the impact of extension services on onion yield. Based on t-test analysis it is evident that average yield of those farmers who utilized extension services is 6.3 tons/acre which is significantly higher compared to tons/acre of those who did not utilized extension services. Thus there was 6 % increase in rice yield due extension services provided. Bravo and Evenson (994) reported similar results. Impact of extension services on tomato yield (Rabi) of the sample respondents Data given in Table IX indicated that the rabbi tomato yield of farmers to whom extension services were available (3.3 tones/acre), was significantly greater than those who did not utilize extension services (.5 tones/acre). The difference in yield is 47 %. Impact of extension services on tomato yield (Kharif) of the sample respondents. Data given in Table X indicated the impact of extension services on tomato yield (Kharif). It is evident from the data that farmers who utilized extension services obtained 0.94 tons yield/acre which is significantly (37 %) higher than those who did not utilize (5.9 tones/acre). Impact of Extension services on peach yield of the sample respondents Data given in Table XI indicated the impact of extension services on peach yield. It is evident that the yield of farmers who utilized extension services (0.98 tons/acre) did not statically differ to those who did not utilize (76.9 tones/acre). Impact of extension services on plum yield of the sample respondents Data given in Table XII indicated the impact of extension services on plum yield. Based on t-test analysis, there was no significant difference in yield of farmers who utilize or did not utilize extension services. Main problems faced by the sample respondents Data presented in Table XIII indicate the main problems of the sample farmers. Results reveled that 65 % respondents lacked credit facilities, 68 % faced marketing problems, 65 % respondents had pests and diseases problems, 35 % respondents faced seeds/propagating material problems (inferior/unavailable), 68 % faced fertilizers problem, 4 % respondents had irrigation problems and 3 % respondents faced some miscellaneous problems. SUMMARY In order to meet the requirements of rapidly growing population, agricultural production has to be increased. This can be done by adopting modern

4 Sheeraz Ahmad et al. Role of Extension Services on Farm Productivity 68 techniques of farming. New technologies developed by researchers are disseminated among the farmers by agricultural extension department. In addition, agricultural extension provides the farmers with management, decision making and organizational skills. It provides feed-back and keeps agricultural research abreast of real problems faced by the farmers. Present study was conducted in two selected villages in district Swat to study the role of extension services on the farm productivity. Hundred respondents, fifty from each of the two villages were selected. The respondents were interviewed about their education, tenurial status, farm size, area and production of crops impact of extension services, adoption of improved farm technology and their general problems. Results of the study are summarized as under. i. It was found that 57 % respondents in the project area were literate. ii. Seventy one percent of the respondents were owner operators, 0 % were owner/tenant and 9 % respondents were tenants. iii. Forty two percent respondents were having small farms (below 0 acres), 6 were medium (0-5 acres) and 3 had large land holdings (5 and acres above). iv. Eighty seven percent of the sample farmers were getting agricultural information from extension department, radio/tv (53%), NGO s (60%), other farmers (74%) and landlords (8%). v. Fifty one percent of the respondents reported that extension staff visited them once in a month, 34 % said that extension worker comes after two months. 5 % farmers stated that they didn t see any extension agent at all. vi. The study revealed that with dissemination of advance crop production technology through extension department, the rice yield was increased by 6 %, onion 47 % and tomato 37 %. However the extension effect on the productivity of peach and plum was not visible in the area. vii. Major problems faced by the sample farmers were lack of credit facilities, improper marketing, pests and diseases, lack of fertilizer and irrigation facilities. RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that extension department of NWFP should be provided with extensive mobility facilities to reach maximum farmers in the area. This will make them able to transfer the recent advances in crop production to the farmers in the remote areas whore almost unaware of the extension services of the Govt. of NWFP. Presently half of the farming community could be attended by extension staff and that is only once in a month. Govt. should arrange the provision of credit in an easy way. Similarly supply of quality inputs at proper time were the principle constraints faced by the farmers in the area. Merely information about advance crop production technology by extension department will not results in increased crop yields unless farmers have easy access to the inputs which is the main factor for the increased crop yields. Irrigation, the key element in the entire crop production strategy, was also found to be a serious problem of the area. This needs due consideration by the line department of the Govt. Table-I: Distribution of sample respondents by Literacy status Villages Total respondents Literate Illiterate No % No % Kota Aboha Total Table-II: Distribution of sample respondents by Tenurial status Villages Owner operator Owner/ tenant Tenant All No. %age No. %age No. %age Kota Aboha All

5 69 Table-III: Villages Distribution of sample respondents by Farm size (Acres) Small (<0) Medium (0-5) Large > 5 No. %age No. %age No. %age Kota Aboha All Total Table-IV: Distribution of respondents by Awareness about agricultural extension services Source Aware Not aware Total respondents Extension Dept. 87% 3% 00 Radio/T.V. 53% 47% 00 NGO s 6% 94% 00 Other farmers 74% 6% 00 Big land lords 8% 9% 00. Table-V: Response of sample farmers regarding visit of extension staff Villages Once in a month After two months Never All No. %age No. %age No. %age Kota Aboha All Table-VI: Distribution of sample respondent s by adoption of improved production practices Improved production practices Adopted (%) Not adopted (%) All Improved varieties Certified seeds Deep tillage Optimum planting time Recommended doses of fertilizers Application of pesticides Optimum number of irrigation Table-VII: Impact of extension services on rice yield of the sample respondents Respondents 76 4 Per acre yield (Tons) Calculated t =.98 Tabulated t (α = 5%) =.65

6 Sheeraz Ahmad et al. Role of Extension Services on Farm Productivity 70 Table-VIII: Impact of extension services on onion yield of the sample respondents Respondents 60 Per acre yield (Tons) Calculated t =.78 Tabulated t (α = 5%) =.67 Table-IX Impact of extension services on tomato yield (Rabi) of the sample respondents Respondents 9 3 Per acre yield (Tons) Calculated t =.70 Tabulated t (α = 5%)=.68 Table-X: Impact of extension services on tomato yield (Kharif) of the sample respondents Respondents 9 7 Per acre yield (Tons) Calculated t =.55 Tabulated t (α = 5%) =.7 Table-XI: Impact of extension services on peach yield of the sample respondents. Particular Ext. Services Utilized Not Utilized Respondents 64 5 Per acre yield (Tons) Calculated t =.48 Tabulated t (α = 5%) =.67 (NS) Table-XII: Impact of extension services on plum yield of the sample respondents Respondents 45 Per acre yield (Tons) Calculated t = 0.9 Tabulated t (α = 5%) =.67 Table-XIII: Problems Main problems faced by the sample respondents Lack of credit facilities 65 No proper marketing facility 68 Pests and diseases 65 Seeds (inferior/unavailable) 35 Lack of fertilizers 68 Irrigation problem 4 Miscellaneous 3 % of respondents

7 7 REFERENCES Adams, S.E. (988). Agricultural Extension in Developing Countries: Agriculture Research and Technology Transfer. In R.A Memon and E. Bashir (eds). Extension Methods. National Books Foundation, Islamabad. Ahmad, A. (98) The appraisal of Training and Visit Program in Tehsil Sheikhpura. Thesis of M. Sc (Hons) Agric. Dept. of Agric. Ext. Univ. Agric. Faisalabad Ali, M, M and M. Iqbal. (984). Some Results of yield constraints research in Pakistan. National Seminar on optimizing crop production through management of resources, Organized by the NEDC-PAD and S. at Lahore. Ali, M. M., I, Saeed, and M. H. Sial Productivity constraints of major crops in Islamabad Capital Territory. Social Science Division, Pak. Agric. Res. Council Islamabad Bravo Ureta, B.E., and R.E. Evenson Efficiency in agriculture production: the case of peasant farmers in eastern Paraguay. Agric. Econ. Vol Duraisamy, P. 99. Effects of education and extension contacts on Agriculture production. Indian J. of Agri. Econ. 47(): 05-4 Hayat, A. 98. An evaluation of working of the Punjab extension and agriculture development project in Sargodha District. Thesis of M.Sc. (Hons) Agri. Univ. Agri. Faisalabad. Himayatullah, 995. Estimating relative technically efficiency in Barani Agriculture: A paper presented on th Annual Meeting of Pakistan Soc. Dev. Econ. (March 8-): Islamabad. Khan, S The impact of extension services on the farm productivity in district Peshawar. Thesis of M.Sc (Hons), Agri. Extt. & Communication Deptt. Agric. Univ. Peshawar. Klocek, M. 99. The role of model farms in transmission of progress with in private agriculture in southern eastern Poland. Indian J. of Agric. Econ. No., pp -3. Muhammad, S. 98. An evaluation of working of agricultural development Extension as perceived by the farmers of Shahkot in district Sheikhupura. Thesis of M. Sc. (Hons) Agric. Univ. Agric. Faisalabad. Naz, M.H A study in to the effectiveness of extension activities of Agriculture Department in Tehsil Shakargarh District Sialkot. Thesis of M.Sc. (Hons) Agri. Extt. Deptt Univ. Agric. Faisalabad. Olson, C. 99. The constraints of adoption of improved oil-palm production technologies in Imo state, Nigeria. In Njoku, J.E. and Doss, Cr (eds). Issues in African Rural Development Winrock International Institute for Agric. Dev. Arlington, V. A, USA. Shah, M,.K., and A. Parikh. 99. Various approaches to measurement of technical efficiency in NWFP (Pakistan). Econ. Res. Centre, U. E. A., Norwich. UK.

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