Determinants of Rice Productivity in District Lower Dir, Khyber Pukhthunkhwa, Pakistan
Determinants of Rice Productivity in District Lower Dir, Khyber Pukhthunkhwa, Pakistan
Syed Amjad Kamal Jan* and Naushad Khan
ABSTRACT
Rice play key role as a staple food in Pakistan and is grown anywhere where water is available. This crop is also grown in rural area of Lower Dir district which play vital role in the economy of the farming community. Till today no study was arranged in this district to analyze the situation. Seeing to its importance the present study was started in 2016 and completed in2018. The major objectives of the study were to determine the factors which affect the production per acre of rice and analyze the problems and constraints faced to rice grower in the study area. The universe of the study was Lower Dir District which consist of seven tehsil while on the basis of more production only two tehsils Balambat and Lalqila were purposively selected The total rice growers number in this district was37557, Balambat 6121 and Lalqila 5167which make total in both tehsils 11228. Through Yamani Formula 100 sample size was fixed and distribute the sample according to proportionate formula between two tehsil, Balambat 54 and Lalqila 46. Similarly, semi structured questionnaire was used for data collection while descriptive statistics and Cob Douglass Production Function were used for data analysis. The results indicate that all rice grower were literate while the secondary level was more than the other level, followed by intermediate level. Similarly, in category of family size the number in above 15 category was found more than the other categories followed by 8-15 category. The Cob Douglass Production function result indicate the constant value 5.434 and found significant which shows that if other variables remove from the model then production of rice will be 5.434 Kg per acre averagely of the respondents. According to analysis Farm Size, Tractor hours, Fertilizers, Number of irrigations, Farmer’s education were found significant at 5% level while , Seed Variety, Pesticides, Farming experience, Number of labors were found non-significant at 5% level. The R-Square value was 0.92 which means that 92% variation is explained by the independent variables on the dependent variable in the model. It seems very good fitted model as R-Square is much high for it. The F-statistic value was found 113.97 which shows that model overall is significance. Few problems and constraints were observed such as lack of credit facilities; Lack of agriculture education and awareness programs; Expensive Agriculture Inputs; Tenancy and Land rent problems; Farm to market roads and small plots hurdles in production of rice etc in the study area. On the basis of problems and constraints, policy recommendation for control measures are given as:- Credit should be provided without interest rate in time according to requirement to farmers by bank; Agriculture extension programs should be launched for transfer of knowledge and for awareness of rice growers; Inputs should be provided at door step on subsidized rate to farmer; Legal programs should be arranged for farmer awareness in the study area; Road facilities should be provided to farmer for pick and drop of input and output; Several farm plots should be combined and modern farming be practiced on the farm for enhancement of rice productivity in the study area.
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