Nexus between Off-Farm Employment and Farm Size Among Small Farm Holders in Peshawar Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Main theme of the present research was to identify the nexus between farm size and non-farm employment (off-farm employment) among farm households (small farmers) in the research area during February 15 to July 27, 2018 by using research tools such as interview schedule or direct observations. Random sampling technique was used for selecting a sample size of 195 small farmers. The present study is focused on two selected districts of Peshawar Valley namely Mardan and Peshawar. Analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the off-farm employment among various sizes of farms. Sampled farm households who were operating farm size up to 1 acre (74.88 hours/week) were performing more off-farm employment followed by farm size more than one (1) but less than or equal to two (2) acres land (59.32 hours/week), more than two (2) acres but less than or equal to three (3) acres land (41.86 hours/week), more than three (3) acres but less than or equal to four (4) acres land (33.97 hours/week) and more than four (4) acres land (25.62 hours/week). The study suggests that there should be no barriers for the entrance of small farmers in to the non-farm sector (rural). This involves improving the educational level in rural areas.