Status of farm mechanization in Peshawar and Mardan division ofNorth West Frontier Province [NWFP] of Pakistan

Timeliness of farm operation is an essence of efficient agricultureand the use of appropriate farm machinery is a condition for achievingthe optimum crop yields. Farm machinery plays a catalytic role inincreasing agricultural productivity by ensuring the optimum utilizationof farm inputs reducing drudgery and costs of cultivation. In general, toimprove management of an agricultural enterprise, mechanization is anintegral part of the process. The present study regarding evaluatingpresent status of farm mechanization in Peshawar and Mardan division ofNorth West Frontier Province was conducted in 2003 to collectinformation about what is being done for Farm Mechanization in Peshawarand Mardan division of NWFP and also to asses the performance ofdifferent agencies and departments working for .promotion of farmmechanization in these division of the province. In this regard, aproforma was designed to collect information directly from the farmers.After analysis of the data collected through the survey. It wasconcluded that the serious scarcity of Animal draft power necessitatesthe use of mechanical power for agricultural production activities. Thegovernment has therefore, attached special importance to agriculturalmechanization. To encourage the use of machines in agriculture, testingand standardization restrictions have already been withdrawn in the freemarket distribution system. As a result, the use of agriculturalmachinery has increased significantly and immense potential has beencreated for further mechanization. For this purpose various facilitiesincluding exemption of import duties on agricultural machinery have beenprovided and the same will continue. The role of farm mechanization inoverall economy of NWFP and its impact on uplifting the rural societyremained significantly positive. The solutions for new problem/issues inthe mechanization in NWFP lies in providing low cast farmingtechnologies depends on the planed and active research and developmentactivities in the area.