Analysis of the factors affecting tunnel farming practices in District Gujranwala

Tunnel farming is a method used to grow crops in off seasons in the controlled environment by using polythene sheet for tunnel making. In Pakistan due to climatic conditions this tunnel fanning is used in winter season for summer vegetable crop because it is impossible to grow summer crops in open areas in winter season. The present study was conducted in District Gujranwala. Main objective of the present study is analysis of the factors affecting tunnel farming practices. District Gujranwala of Punjab was selected for primary data collection because it is the major vegetable production zone in Punjab. A sample of 120 vegetable growers who were doing tunnel farming (80 low tunnel farmers, 20 walk-in tunnel farmers & 20 High tunnel farmers) selected purposively from Gujranwala District. The data were collected through a validated interview schedule. The data obtained were analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). It was found that most of the tunnel farmers (38.3%) had greater than 35-45 years of age and a substantial proportion (55.0%) of tunnel farmers had above matric level education. About a half (49.2%) of the respondents had the tunnel on commercial level and the area under their tunnel is from greater than 4 to 8 acres. It was found that Pesticide/ fertilizer field officer (Chi = 3.71), Fellow farmers (Chi = 3.62), AARI (Chi = 3.36) and Agriculture Officer (Chi = 3.29) were the major source of information in the study area. It was concluded that high tunnel growers had more satisfaction (mean = 3.79) with tunnel farming. It was found that Shortage of good quality seeds (Chi = 3.93), Non availability water springular system for tunnel farming (Chi = 3.20), Marketing problem of final products (Chi = 2.82), Lack of financial facilities for tunnel farming (loans etc) (Chi = 3.27) and Costly method (not affordable by ordinary peasants) (Chi = 3.25) were the major hindrance in the adoption of tunnel farming. In Pakistan majority of the farmers do not have sufficient economic resources so they rely on the old cultivation methods. They don't have the financial resources to install tunnel in their field. Farmers have to increase their financial resources by taking the help from the Government.