An Assessment of Off-Season Vegetables Production in District Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Agricultural production has been increased due to adoption of modern agriculture techniques and practices. This study analyzed off-season vegetables production in District Peshawar with the objectives to highlight the problems faced by farmers in cultivation of off-season vegetables, evaluate the yield and income of off-season vegetables and the role of extension workers in creating awareness among farming community regarding off-season vegetables. Data were collected from 60 sample respondents from three circles (Mattani, Peshawar and Tarnab) through pre-tested and well-structured interview schedule during February-March, 2020. The results showed that 48.3% farmers were motivated by extension staff towards tunnel technology, only 6.7% farmers got training regarding tunnel farming, 70% respondents reported that extension worker visited their field once a year. The study concluded that though extension worker visited farmers’ field but the frequency was very low and very limited trainings were given to the farmers regarding tunnel farming in the study area. Results of paired sample t-test showed that cost of tomato and bitter-gourd in tunnel is higher as compared to cultivation of these vegetables in field, while the yield and net-income obtained in tunnel was also high. The study also concludes that tomato cultivated in tunnel is more profitable as compared to bittergourd. Major constraints faced by farmers in tunnel cultivation were high cost of installation and inputs, unavailability of certified seed, fertilizers and pesticides, lack of technical knowledge, lack of cold storage, high cost of transportation, pest and disease attack, defective marketing and lack of credit facility. The study recommends that farmers should be encouraged and facilitated to adopt tunnel farming technology as it is the best method to grow off-season vegetables and for yields, both the field staff of extension department and farmers must be provided training for development of tunnels and package of production timely. Government should facilitate to establish agriculture insurance and provide subsidy to farmers (in energy, fertilizer, seed etc).