EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COTTON CROP PRODUCTION AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF FARMING COMMUNITIES IN TEHSIL KHANPUR, RAHIM YAR KHAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between cotton crop production and the socio-economic conditions of rural communities in Tehsil Khanpur. It explores how challenges such as high input costs, small landholdings, limited access to credit, lack of awareness about modern agricultural practices, and market uncertainties affect the production and usage of cotton income among farmers. The data was collected through structured questionnaires of 125 cotton growers in the most cotton cultivated five Union Councils of tehsil Khanpur. The results showed that a majority of farmers (68%) were not well educated and 18.4% were illiterate due to which 52% farmers were not aware of modern agriculture technologies, while 89% of the farmers reported that these technologies were too expensive to adopt. During this study, it was also found that 68% farmers had not enough financial resources for crop cultivation and 74% identified that there were lack of micro credit facilities. The outcome of this study stated that better cotton production revealed the significant and positive impact on socio-economic status of the farmers. The majority of the farmers (63%) reported that cotton crop production increased their family income. Among them, 90% of the farmers responded that they used this income on the marriages of their siblings. A majority of farmers (63% and 90%) stated that they adopted better health and educational facilities, respectively for their family. The results of the model indicated a positive impact of better cotton crop production on wellbeing of the cotton farmers. The study suggests the need for policy measures that strengthen extension services, provide timely input delivery, improve credit access, and ensure better market linkages to support rural development through cotton farming.