Agricultural extension workers’ competencies in model farm services center for wheat production in District Malakand in the present scenario of climate change (evidence from remote areas of Northern Pakistan)

Abstract

Pakistan is ranked 8th in wheat production and the current study is regarding extension workers’ competencies about Model Farm Services Centers (MFSCs) in wheat production in changing climate by highlighting the constraints of farming communities. The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa established 24 Model Farm Services Centers (MFSCs) during 2005 for improvement of farmers’ livelihood by supporting to help them in identifying and prioritizing the difficulties in the current resources by keeping in view climatic changes to ensure availability of modern technologies and quality of farm inputs. The data were collected from 125 wheat growers registered with MFSCs in five union councils who were selected randomly. The study revealed that 33.6% wheat growers were from middle age in category of 41-50 years where 61% were illiterate. Maximum (72%) respondents were having land up to 3 acres and running farming activities by their family members following by 43% who got MFSCs information from Agricultural Extension. MFSCs create awareness about the use of hybrid seeds expressed by 67.2% respondents while 32.2% of them grew local varieties. Mean difference in wheat yield before and after the membership with MFSCs was recorded 239 kg/acre. Problems regarding costly inputs, climate change, and access to MFSC were the main issues revealed by 34%, 40%, and 18% respectively. Agricultural extension workers’ competencies in MFSCs for wheat production in present climate were essential. Best quality agro-inputs should be made available on cheaper prices for wheat production by taking the benefits of competent extension workers in climate if registered with MFSCs.