Impact of agricultural mechanization development project on yield of major crops in punjab, pakistan
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Date
2018
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Publisher
UMT Lahore
Abstract
Pakistan is an agriculture based economy. The agriculture precinct plays a pivotal
part in the development of economy and core source to boost the economic growth
of Pakistan. Despite its importance, per acre yield of agricultural crops is very low
as compared to global bench mark. Majority of the farmers are small with land
holding less than 5 hectares which is just a subsistence level farming actually. The
shifting of farmers from subsistence to commercial level farming can only be
accomplished through diffusion of modern, efficient and cost effectual technology
in the farming system. Government of the Punjab has formulated a policy that
focuses on the improvement of rustic community which is mainly reliant on
agriculture. In this perspective “Agriculture Mechanization Development project”
was implemented in all districts of Punjab to support the small and marginal farmers
by provision of agricultural implements on 50 percent subsidized rates.
The current study was conducted for the impact assessment of farm implements
given to the farmers in the mechanization project. The Punjab province was divided
in three zones on the basis of agro-climatic conditions i.e. upper Punjab (rain fed
areas) central Punjab (mixed cropping areas) and southern Punjab (wheat and
cotton areas). Total of six districts, comprising of maximum beneficiaries were
selected (two from each zone). Face to face structured interviews were conducted
to get primary data from project beneficiaries (n=210). Paired t-test and regression
analysis were applied for comparative analysis of major crops’ yield prior to and
after the mechanization scheme.
The data depicted that 87.67% respondents were satisfied form the scheme.
Analysis showed that farming practices of the respondents were improved by
timelines of farm operations and improved efficiency by the use of implements
provided in the scheme which ultimately increased the farm production. The use of
agricultural implements had also helped the farmers to overcome their labor
constraints at peak seasons. The results of the study revealed that there was a
significant increase on the yield of all major crops which means the agricultural
mechanization development project had a positive impact on the yield of all crops
being cultivated in Punjab province. The mean increase in yield of sugarcane crop
was found maximum i.e. 30.769 mounds per acre, followed by maize 4.056 mounds
and cotton 3.014 mounds per acre. Whereas mean increase in wheat and rice crops’
yield were 2.181 mounds and 2.026 mounds per acre respectively.
It is suggested that agricultural mechanization and such other programs can be
considered as efficient tool to fight against poverty, improve socio-economic level
and income creating activities among rural communities. By considering the
existing paradoxical economic position of the country as well as internal and
external confronts, reliance on agriculture sector will further augment to advance
the pace of national development. Therefore instant action is required to accelerate
productivity and profitability of this segment both in horizontal and vertical ways.
There is dire need of mapping of crop zones specific technologies in the province
along with development of indigenous low cost agricultural machines, bringing
research &development institutes under one umbrella by strengthening research
linkages and encouraging reverse engineering of imported machines to enhance
poor farmers’ access to the technology. Govt. of Punjab should chalk out
comprehensive agricultural mechanization policy to ensure crop specific
technology that should be technically feasible, economically viable and socially
acceptable to promote its sustainability for the farming community of the province.