Strengthening Livelihood Development of Small Scale Wheat Farmers: Comparative Effectiveness of Public and Private Extension in Supporting Crop Adaptation Strategies

Abstract

Agricultural production systems are facing greater climate variability, resource constraints, and market uncertainty, which seriously threaten the livelihood of Small Scale Wheat Farmers. In this context, effective extension services are considered a key driver for promoting crop adaptation strategies, enhancing productivity, and improving income stability. However, empirical evidence remains limited regarding how Public and Private Extension differ in their contribution to adaptation and Livelihood outcomes. Using cross-sectional data collected from 270 selected wheat farmers registered with both Public and Private Extension department in district Charsadda and Dir Upper, the study constructed adaptation indices and Visits indices and applied correlation and multiple regression analysis to examine relationships among variables. This study therefore addresses the needs to understand the effectiveness of extension contact and adaptation strategies in improving wheat-based production systems of Small scale wheat farmers. The key issue investigated was whether extension interaction and provided adaptation strategies significantly influence Wheat productivity and income, as core components of livelihood. Results showed a very strong positive correlation between wheat production and income (.93), confirming that productivity gains directly support livelihood improvement. Adaptation indices were positively correlated with production (.539**) and income (.579**) under Public Extension, while in regression analysis, contact with Public Extension showed significant positive effects on production (10.21) and adaptation (13.514). In contrast, Private contact had a weaker influence on productivity (4.268) and non-significant correlation between visits and adaptation (.075), indicating variations in service effectiveness. The study concludes that structured and frequent extension interaction, particularly under Public Extension, plays a critical role in building adaptive capacity and improving the Livelihood of Small Scale wheat Farmers through productivity and income gains. Recommendations include strengthening the quality of advisory services, improving adaptation-focused training, and enhancing coordination between Public and Private Extension to maximize developmental impact on Small Scale Wheat Farmers Livelihood.