An analysis of farm services centre (FSC) approach launched for Agricultural Extension in NWFP, Pakistan

Agricultural extension services have a pivotal role in agricultural and rural development. It is the major source of technology dissemination and helps the farmers to rationalize the use of natural resources for a sustainable agricultural development. Globally, public-private partnership approach in Agricultural Extension is considered more effective, efficient, and responsive to different categories of farmers. In Pakistan, government of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) has initiated a public-private partnership Extension Programme in the province. This is locally called as Farm Services Centre (FSC). This approach has the inbuilt mechanism of inputs delivery, market facilitation, exchange of experiences and diffusion of knowledge and technology. However, the extent to which this public-private partnership is instrumental in achieving aforementioned objectives is yet to be established. The present study was an attempt to analyze this publi c-private partnership approach by measuring its strengths and weaknesses. For this purpose, out of 24 districts of NWFP, two districts namely Swabi and Lakimarwat were selected randomly. From these two districts, 491 FSCs member farmers were selected as respondents for interview on random basis. The analysis showed that the most prominent strength of FSC was "farmers' empowerment" with mean 4.05 and SD 1.29, while that of Agriculture Extension Department (AED) was "effective message delivery". As per respondents, the major weakness of both (FSC & AED) system was "no marketing facility" with mean 4.12 & 4.13 and SD 1.22 & 1.01 respectively. It is essential that the government should ensure the mandated activities at FSC forum particularly the facilitation by line agencies and NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar. It should be a forum of technology dissemination, agricultural surplus produce marketing and cooperative farming. Agricultural Extension Department shou ld provide more facilities to the staff indulged in FSC activities to increase their efficiency through special allowance and honorarium. As pointed out by respondents, separate meeting place should be provided for female farmers for an effective training and efficient utilization of the acquired knowledge in relevant fields.