Farmers field schools and bitter gourd productivity: An empirical analysis of district Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan

Farmer Field School (FFS) always aims to facilitate farmers to find out and study about field ecology and integrated crop management. The study was conducted to examine the change in productivity; to determine increase in per acre yield, to find out reduction in per acre input cost. A study for bitter gourd crop was conducted in ten villages namely Hafiz Jee Qila, Toor Kalay, Sarkai, Inzar Qila, Ghari Kaka Khel, Ghari Kanan Khel, Sher Khan Kalay, Afzalyano Korona, Yar Muhammad Khan Qila and Sultan Abad of district Charsadda. From each FFS, 15 farmers were selected randomly on the basis of identical allocation making sample size of 150. The research was based on primary as well as secondary data. Primary data were collected from farmers while secondary data were got from department of Agricultural Extension, District Charsadda. Extensive interview schedule was developed and each farmer was interviewed personally. The study was based on comparison of cost, yield and income of bitter gourd before and after FFS. Paired t-test was conducted using SPSS for analysis; result of the study show that Agricultural Extension Department has brought a positive change in the attitude of farmers of the study area through FFS approach. About 69% of the respondents growing bitter gourd were between the ages of 31-50 years, 23 % had no education and were illiterate, 25% had education of primary level, 15% middle, 27% matric, 6% intermediate and 5% at graduate level. Average land holding size was 9.89 acres, cost of fertilizer, crop protection from insect pest and crop protection from diseases was reduced by Rs. 2264, Rs. 3195.37 and Rs. 3090.20 respectively, the cost of seed and cost of farm yard manure was increased by Rs.1923.07 and Rs. 1204.66 respectively while bitter gourd yield was increased by 988 kg/acre from 17384.60 to 18372.60. The role of FFS initiated by department of Agriculture Extension for the development of agriculture was worth mentioning. It has increased the crop yield of bitter gourd and farmers' income through FFS approach. On the basis of results of the research studies, Agriculture Extension Department should extend their developmental activities for utmost participation of the whole rural masses through participatory FFS approach.