An Effectiveness of Extension Trainings on Boosting Agriculture in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan: An Evidence from Bajaur Agency
An Effectiveness of Extension Trainings on Boosting Agriculture in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan: An Evidence from Bajaur Agency
Sanaullah and Urooba Pervaiz*
ABSTRACT
Agricultural Extension trainings play a crucial role in agricultural development of the rural community. The current study was intended to investigate the effect and role of extension trainings in the improvement of main agricultural crops and vegetables in Bajaur Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) during the year 2016-17. The study was based on primary data collected from 166 sample respondents who got training from Bajaur Area Development Program (BADP) using a well-structured interview schedule; through personal interview method. Result showed that 63.9% of the respondents were illiterate, 31.3% respondents were in age group between 25-35 years. Yield, income, plant spacing, seed rate, irrigation interval, and use of pesticide before and after training were computed with the help of paired sample t-test. Results revealed that in maize there is a significant decrease for seed rate (-11.6743 kg/acre) and irrigation interval (-16.03 days) after training, while significant increase in mean difference was recorded for row-to-row distance (38.7 cm), plant-to-plant distance (8.22 cm), use of pesticide (0.2108), yield (237.46 kg/acre) and income (Rs 50783.08) after training. Mean value obtained for wheat yield was 325 kg/acre after extension trainings. Similarly, a significant increase for tomato (449 kg/acre), onion (298 kg/acre) and okra (232 kg/acre) yield was found after the delivery of improved farming practices through extension trainings. Tomato income was increased with a significant mean difference of Rs.104457 after extension recommendations. It is concluded that extension department performed well in the empowerment of farmers and increasing crop yield in the study area. The study recommends need based trainings for growers, availability of credit/loan facilities, provision of subsidized inputs and irrigation water in the study area.
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