Assessing the implications of farm advisory services of Model Farm Services Center from a Productivity Perspective

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the role of Farm Advisory Services in order to offset the problems of the yield productivity gaps in the study area. The farmers’ perceptions of the Model Farm Services Center (MFSC) were statistically examined via a comparison of the differences within two subgroups. A sample size of 120 was selected in order to enable equal representation from both the member farmers and the independent farmers of the MFSC. An independent sample t-test along with a dummy variable was used to identify differences in their farming practices and obtained yield respectively. It was found that 80% of the respondents entirely relied on farming, whereas 20% only partially relied on farming. Similarly, 70% of the farmers were living in a joint familial system, while 30% of them were individual households. Furthers some of the farmers 28% used canals while only 13% relied on tube-wells from the member respondents, whereas 30% of the independent farmers relied on canals and 10% used tube wells. The independent farmers were more productive with wheat, rice, and sugarcane crops, but a lower yield with the maize crop was identified compared to the member farmers. The study concludes that there are inefficiencies and gaps in the service delivery value chain of the MFSCs and recommends actions, such as by providing basic farm inputs, modern equipment, interest free credit as well as technical guidance. The study contributes by using the farmers’ perceptions as a stepping stone for the policy input in regards to the agriculture laden productivity.