IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES ON THE USE OF FERTILIZER IN BALOCHISTAN PROVINCE

An impact assessment of agriculture extension services in terms of increase in agricultural productivity and increase in farmers’ income through use of fertilizer in the province of Balochistan was carried out. The response and reaction of 300 farmers selected at random towards the use of fertilizer by the learned extension workers has been captured in the five districts of the province. The use of fertilizer has mostly been a common type of biological technology which has helped increase the crop production. Due to its use, majority of the farmers claim to have been enjoying around 50% increase in production level. The role of both the public and private sectors has been remarkable. The supply of fertilizer motivation task is controlled by the private sector while, the role of the public sector extension workers is supplementary to that of the private sector. In fact, extension workers of the agriculture department have succeeded in approaching 30% of the farmers effectively, while fellow farmers have approached 28% and elders 27%. The study reveals that although the use of fertilizer is generally considered simple non-technical but despite extension efforts, in five sample districts, 69% farmers were using fertilizer appropriately and as per crop requirement. However, the commonly used types of DAP Urea by the farmers is against the recommendations of the agriculture department and also NPK which is used in compound form is against the recommendation of its separate use. In this regard the study suggests that the updating knowledge about the types of fertilizer and its use with proper ratio is the main area where the farmers need the support for.