Assessing The Effects of Climate Change On Wheat Cultivation, Production Constraints, And Extension Services in North Waziristan

Abstract

The focus of the study was to determine the effect of climate change on wheat cultivation and production in District North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The objectives were to know the current situation of wheat cultivation, problem identification and the effect of climate change on wheat cultivation and production in the study area. A total of 122 farmers were sampled at 20 percent of total wheat producers using a proportional allocation technique from the six selected villages, namely Khassukhel, Khushali, Hurmaz, Zaraki, Khadi, and Eidak, through multistage sampling technique. The primary data was collected using a well-designed and carefully validated interview schedule. The data was then analysed using SPSS, and the findings were reported as counts and percentages. It was found that 63.1% of wheat growers were illiterate who belonged to middle and old age group. About 46.7% farmers had allocated 1-3 acres of land for wheat cultivation, 44.3% had 20 years of farming experience in agriculture and 66.4% had agriculture as their primary source of income. All wheat growers were aware of agriculture extension department and visits paid by extension agents were need based. The main problems faced in marketing of produce were high transportation costs, high taxes, remote markets, while high input prices, climate change effect, pests and diseases, lack of extension visits and up-to-date information and non-availability of quality seed were general problems faced. Common wheat diseases found were rust, brown rot and smut. It is concluded that all the wheat growers were aware of climate change and reported that change in sowing time, pest/disease attack, post-harvest losses, seed rate increases, less rainfall and rise in temperature were some of the effects of climate change on wheat cultivation while decreased yield and seed size and weight are effects of climate change on production in the study area. It is recommended that appropriate trainings should be arranged by the agriculture extension department to pass on latest, practical and technical knowledge about the effects of climate change on production and cultivation. It is also recommended that Enhance Climate-Resilient Agricultural Training and Extension Services and Improve Access to Affordable Inputs and Credit Facilities.