The impact of improved farming practices on maize yield in federally administered tribal areas, Pakistan

Abstract

This study intended to estimate and examine the impact of improved farming practices on maize yield in Bajaur Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. A sample of 166 respondents was selected through multistage stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected with the help of a pre-tested and validated well-structured interview schedule. Analysis was carried through multiple regression and independent sample t-test. Results indicated that extension visits, involvement in agriculture, adoption of recommended farming practices, irrigation and HYVs had significant effect, while disease, fertilizer and pesticide had non-significant effect on maize yield. Nevertheless, adoption of recommended technologies were low due to some constraints in the study area out of which low income of the families and lack of required technical knowledge were of major concerns. The results of t-test indicated that higher maize yield was obtained for the respondents who irrigated their fields using hybrid seed, as well as with the help from extension specialists' visits and with the adoption of recommended farming practices. It is established that improved farming practices have significant influence on yield. The study recommends transfer of technical and timely information to the farming community and organizing local trainings and learning workshops. It is recommended that farm inputs i.e. fertilizers, seed and pesticides needs to be subsidized to enable farmers apply recommended quantities of these inputs for getting the optimum yield. Extension department needs to introduce improved farming practices among farming community to achieve higher maize yields.