Evaluating the Impact and Determinants of Agricultural Extension Services on Potato Farming in District Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa- Pakistan

Abstract

Agriculture extension is the sole department which provides a bridge for flow of information between research and farmers. It plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity, improving farming practices, and increasing the livelihoods of farming community. This study aimed to analyze the agricultural extension activities in District Abbottabad Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan including the types of services provided, the effectiveness of these services and the challenges faced by extension workers. Data were collected from 112 sample respondents from four selected villages. The firsthand data were analyzed through SPSS v.20. The demographic attributes revealed that majority of the respondents were literate (68.8%), (42.9%) respondents were from age group of 51 and above. About (33.0%) of the respondents were landholding up to 5.1 acres and above and having good farming experience of 21years and above (83.9%). The yield obtained, seed rate used pre and post training were computed through paired sample t-test. The outcomes indicated a significant difference (p<0.01) with (401.223 kg/acre) increase in potato yield after training. While a significant difference (p<0.01) was recorded for seed rate with the mean difference value decreased after training. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between various variables. Total land holding had significant association with knowledge about extension department at 1% probability level. Farmers’ literacy rate also had significant association with knowledge about extension department at 5% probability level. The results show that while agricultural extension services were being provided in the district, there are some important gaps in the coverage and quality of these services. The study identified key challenges, including poor financial conditions, water scarcity and less no of extension workers. The study recommends that policymakers should prioritize the strengthening of agricultural extension services in District Abbottabad.