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Title: Assessment of Farmers' Awareness of the Locust Pest Problem and Their Adoption of Control Measures in Taluka Nasirabad, District Qambar Shahdadkot
Authors: Zaheeruddin Mirani, Samad Ali Kalhoro, Jumo Khan Bajkani
Journal: The Asian Bulletin of Big Data Management (ABBDM)
Publisher: ASIAN ACADEMY OF BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2023
Volume: 3
Issue: 2
Language: English
The present research was conducted in Nasirabad taluka of Qambar Shahdadkot district through a survey. The aim was to assess farmers' awareness of locust pest issues and their adoption of control measures. A purposive sampling method was used, with a total of 125 farmers surveyed, selecting 25 from each Union Council. Results revealed that the majority of respondents (56%) were aged 41 and older, 60% had received only a primary level of education, and 72% had over 21 years of farming experience. Additionally, 56% of the farmers owned 5 acres of land. Alarmingly, 89.6% lacked knowledge of traditional pest control methods, such as killing locust swarms and tricking hoppers. Moreover, 81.6% of farmers were unaware of chemical control methods, including organophosphate insecticides. The data indicated that 50% of farmers had not adopted traditional control methods at all, and 100% did not use sound-based deterrents or nets sprayed with garlic or neem oil. Furthermore, 80% had not implemented biological control measures involving neem, and all were unfamiliar with other biological methods like linseed oil or the use of natural locust predators. Importantly, 100% of farmers reported no adoption of chemical control methods. Awareness of agricultural resources was also low: 45.6% were unaware of agricultural extension workers, 40% of pesticide agents, 47.2% of neighboring farmers, and 46.4% of social media as a source of information. A significant majority, 94.4% and 92.8%, were very unaware of NGOs and training opportunities, respectively. Furthermore, 75.2%, 59.2%, and 56.8% of growers did not find agricultural extension workers, neighbors, or social media effective sources of information. In contrast, 72.8%, 99.2%, and all farmers rated pesticide agents, NGOs, and training programs as very poor sources of information.
To assess farmers' awareness of locust pest issues and their adoption of control measures in Taluka Nasirabad, District Qambar Shahdadkot.
A descriptive survey design was employed in Taluka Nasirabad, District Qambar Shahdadkot. Five Union Councils were purposively selected. A total of 125 farmers were surveyed using a structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using SPSS to calculate percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviations.
graph TD;
A["Select Study Area: Taluka Nasirabad"] --> B["Purposively Select 5 Union Councils"];
B --> C["Select 125 Farmers"];
C --> D["Develop Structured Questionnaire"];
D --> E["Conduct Face-to-face Interviews"];
E --> F["Collect Data"];
F --> G["Organize Data into Coding Sheet"];
G --> H["Analyze Data using SPSS"];
H --> I["Calculate Percentages, Frequencies, Means, SDs"];
I --> J["Draw Conclusions and Formulate Recommendations"];
The study highlights a critical gap in farmers' knowledge and adoption of locust control measures in Taluka Nasirabad. The widespread lack of awareness regarding both traditional and chemical control methods, coupled with a complete absence of adoption for chemical strategies, indicates a significant vulnerability to locust infestations. The ineffectiveness of various information sources, including agricultural extension workers and social media, further exacerbates this issue. The identified constraints, such as lack of awareness, technological challenges, and insufficient training, underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve locust management practices.
- A significant majority of farmers (89.6%) lacked knowledge of traditional locust control methods.
- 81.6% of farmers were unaware of chemical control methods.
- 50% of farmers did not adopt traditional control methods, and 100% did not use chemical control methods.
- Awareness of agricultural resources like extension workers, pesticide agents, and social media was low.
- Farmers reported significant constraints in adopting control measures, including lack of awareness, difficulty with technology, and insufficient skills and training.
Farmers in Taluka Nasirabad exhibit a profound lack of awareness and adoption of locust pest control measures, posing a substantial threat to agricultural productivity and food security. Urgent interventions are required to enhance farmer education, improve access to and understanding of control technologies, and strengthen information dissemination channels.
- 89.6% of farmers lacked knowledge of traditional pest control methods.
- 100% of farmers reported no adoption of chemical control methods.
- 94.4% of farmers were very unaware of NGOs as a source of information.
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