EFFECTIVENESS OF CROP MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN NORTH-WEST, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Effective crop management practices play a vital role in agricultural progress, with far-reaching socio-economic effects on farming communities. This research aims to evaluate the socio-economic outcomes of such practices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Through comprehensive surveys and farmer interviews, the study uncovers potential benefits and challenges linked to adopting crop management techniques. Notably, 41% of farmers surveyed are young (up to 30 years old) with primary/middle education. Most respondents (50.7%) possess 11-20 years of farming experience, and 61.3% own less than 5 acres of land. In terms of income impact, 27.3% reported a substantial increase post-adoption, while 22.7% experienced reduced financial stress. The study identifies limited extension services as a significant barrier to wider adoption. By conducting multiple linear regression analysis, the research demonstrates that demographic factors such as age, education level and household income significantly influence the likelihood of farmers adopting crop management practices. It is concluded that implementing efficient crop management practices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has the potential to significantly enhance crop productivity, increase income generation and improve the financial well-being of farmers. To encourage wider adoption, interventions and extension services should be customized to align with the demographic characteristics of farmers, particularly targeting younger farmers with higher education levels and higher household incomes. Establishing platforms, such as farmer cooperatives, community-based organizations or online networks, allows farmers to share experiences, learn from each other and promote the adoption of effective crop management practices through collaboration and knowledge dissemination. The findings of this study are valuable for policymakers, agricultural stakeholders and farmers in understanding the significance of implementing efficient crop management practices for sustainable agricultural development.