Impact of extension services on agricultural production: A case study in Malakand Agency [Pakistan]

This paper seeks to examine the impact of extension services on agricultural production in the Provincially Administrated Tribal Area (PATA) of Malakand agency. It examines the impact of extension services of farmers of different categories, including their educational status, land holding, land tenure system, irrigation pattern and age. The study was initiated to point out the reasons that why agricultural development in Malakand agency was started late and remained slow as compared to settled districts of NWFP. The study was based on the analysis of primary data, which were obtained mainly through the administration of a carefully designed questionnaire to the sample of 100 farmers randomly selected from 5 locations (Hero Shah, Dargai, Sakhakot, Palay and Thana) both from Sum Ranizai and Swat Ranizai of Malakand Agency. The results of survey revealed that 54% farmers, mainly small ones, were not fully aware of existence of extension department in the project area. This also strengthens the argument that the role of extension agents for productivity enhancement has remained sluggish and poor. 57% farmers did not visit F.A's office they were of the opinion that extension staff usually was lazy and lack the necessary knowledge relating to every day farmer's problems. 55% farmers also reported that information given to them by extension staff was costly and they were not in a position to adopt it. Majority of farmer's i.e. 80% reported improper and infrequent visits of extension staff. They were not satisfied with their behaviour, level of knowledge and communicative efficiency. It was clearly shown that agricultural development is possible mainly through the effective role of extension agents. In addition, other factors, including improper physical and social infrastructures, lack of community participation, transport and communication facilities were also responsible for slow agricultural growth in the project area.