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- Title
ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION AS PERCEIVED BY FARMERS: INSIGHTS FROM PUNJAB, PAKISTAN.
- Authors
Safdar, Umair; Ali, Shoukat; Ali, Tanvir; Siddiqui, M. Tahir
- Abstract
The study was conducted at Institute of Agricultural extension and rural development, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during year 2015 with the aim to compile the perceptions of farmers about types of agricultural information provided to farmers by agricultural extension agents. Among five agro-ecological zones of the Punjab, one district from each zone were selected at random. A sample of 400 farmers were selected randomly (80 from each district) and sample size was determined by using table for determining sample size (Fitzgibbon and Morris, 1978). All agricultural officers (total 60) of five selected districts were also served as respondents of this study. Personal interviews were conducted with pre-tested and validated interview schedule along with informal discussions with respondents, key informant interviews and observations. The data illustrated that only selected crop production information like recommended variety (65.0%), leveling of field (64.7%), time of sowing (67.7%), balanced application of fertilizer (61.7%), water requirements of crops (70.2%) and methods of harvesting (57.2%) is being provided to the farmers by agricultural extension officers as reported by the respondents. However, no attention is paid towards the provision of information and knowledge regarding availability of inputs (75.7%), bio-control (93.7%), weather updates (100%), storage of harvested crop (77%), horticulture (>92%), livestock (100%) and marketing (>95%) respectively. Therefore, it is recommended that proper attention should be paid towards the needs of the farmers. In this regard timely and accurate information should be provided to the farmers and bottom up approach should be followed. There is also need for agricultural extension officers to develop good and close working relationship with farmers to empower them.
- Subjects
PAKISTAN; AGRICULTURAL informatics; AGRICULTURE; ACCESS to information; SAMPLE size (Statistics); SOWING
- Publication
Journal of Agricultural Research (03681157), 2016, Vol 54, Issue 3, p573
- ISSN
0368-1157
- Publication type
Article