Crop management practices for better maize production in mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Crop management practices and the technical efficiency of farmers can lead to a rise the crop productivity. Extension Field Staff (EFS) were performing different management practices for maize crops to enhance their yield; thus, a study was carried out in Dir Upper, one of the mountainous districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to find out the role of EFS in using different crop management practices. A validated interview schedule was used to collect the primary data. While applying multistage sampling, four union councils were selected, in which one village from each union council was selected for the collection of primary data. The results show that majority of the respondents were in the middle age group (26-35 years), whereas most of them were literate. The main source of income for the farming community was agriculture, as most of them were the owner of their land and cultivating maize as their major crop. The majority of farmers were in contact with EFS and satisfied with the Extension department. Applying t-test on the production of maize crop, a highly significant difference (P = 0.00) occurs showing that the yield is increased significantly after the application of management practices. They were applying ranking system on different management practices animal wastes and feeding management ranked 1^st which followed by irrigation management and vice versa. By applying different management practices, the yield of maize has increased significantly compared to the last few years. Some of the farmers lacked management practices, so they needed training and that would be possible if the government built offices nearby.