Articles
AGRICULTURE MACHINERY IS A MAJOR CONSTRAINT IN CROP YIELD PRODUCTION IN PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN
Article number
1054_33
Pages
281 – 284
Language
English
Abstract
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is an important agriculture province of Pakistan, spread over 74,521 km2 with a population of over 22 million.
It accounts for 10% of Pakistan’s GDP. Major cash crops include wheat, maize, tobacco, rice, sugar cane, as well as fruits produced in the province.
Since 2005 the province has faced great problems the 2005 Earthquake, 2009 Terrorism (Talibanization) and the 2010 floods.
All these have greatly affected the agriculture of the province.
A survey was carried out in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). Farmers were randomly selected and questions were asked through a questionnaire to know the main constraints in their farming system, which has led to low yield production.
All the respondents pointed out their main problems in their farming.
Approximately 60% of the farmers did not have access to modern agriculture equipment and were still using traditional agriculture technologies in their farming. 10% of farmers in some parts do not have access to tractors.
The results in the study indicated that only 30-35% of the farmers have access to seed drills.
Only 15-20% have access to reaper windrowers.
Only 10% of farmers used combine harvester in the whole province.
There were only 2-5% farmer who adopted fertilizer band placement drills.
Only a very small percentage of farmers had knowledge about and access to seed processing machines/units.
All these indicated that the farmers have less information about, and less availability of, agriculture machinery in this province.
Regular workshops for the farmers should be arranged to increase their knowledge and interest in modern technology.
The government and other agriculture organizations should start subsidizing programs for the use of modern agriculture technology.
It accounts for 10% of Pakistan’s GDP. Major cash crops include wheat, maize, tobacco, rice, sugar cane, as well as fruits produced in the province.
Since 2005 the province has faced great problems the 2005 Earthquake, 2009 Terrorism (Talibanization) and the 2010 floods.
All these have greatly affected the agriculture of the province.
A survey was carried out in different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). Farmers were randomly selected and questions were asked through a questionnaire to know the main constraints in their farming system, which has led to low yield production.
All the respondents pointed out their main problems in their farming.
Approximately 60% of the farmers did not have access to modern agriculture equipment and were still using traditional agriculture technologies in their farming. 10% of farmers in some parts do not have access to tractors.
The results in the study indicated that only 30-35% of the farmers have access to seed drills.
Only 15-20% have access to reaper windrowers.
Only 10% of farmers used combine harvester in the whole province.
There were only 2-5% farmer who adopted fertilizer band placement drills.
Only a very small percentage of farmers had knowledge about and access to seed processing machines/units.
All these indicated that the farmers have less information about, and less availability of, agriculture machinery in this province.
Regular workshops for the farmers should be arranged to increase their knowledge and interest in modern technology.
The government and other agriculture organizations should start subsidizing programs for the use of modern agriculture technology.
Authors
H. Ali
Keywords
agriculture, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, farmers, technology
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