Journal of Agricultural Research (JAR) .
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Directorate General Agricultural Information
PROXIMATE ANALYSIS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT GENOTYPES OF BLACKBERRIES
The experiment was conducted at Biochemistry Section, Post harvest Research Centre, AARI Faisalabad in collaboration with Barani Agriculture Research Institute Chakwal during the year 2024-2025. Berries are becoming a larger part of our diet, not only because they’re delicious but also due to their potent disease-fighting properties. There’s growing interest in berries, particularly blackberries, thanks to recent studies highlighting their health benefits driven by high antioxidant. This study evaluated ten blackberry genotypes to identify superior traits, revealing significant differences among genotypes in fruit weight, length, width, TSS, titratable acidity, vitamin C and antioxidant activity. Genotypes G1 to G5, which produced the largest fruits, also exhibited favorable nutritional profiles. Notably, The TSS values ranged from 8.2% (G8) to 10.5% (G1), which is relatively higher compared to other genotypes. Antioxidant levels varied across genotypes, all the genotypes vary Non-significantly and ranging from 54.5 (G8) to 65.5% (G3). Vitamin C content ranged from 18.3 mg/100g (G9) to 19.7 mg/100g (G2), with G2 being statistically comparable to G3, G4, G5 and G6. The total sugar contents were higher in G1 (8.2%) and lowest in G9 (7.29%) which is significantly higher than other genotypes. These compositional variations likely stem from factors like species, variety, growing conditions and harvest timing and season key influencers of consumer demand in the food industry. In conclusion, this study highlights the G1 to G5 genotypes as standout genotypes with superior traits, indicating strong potential for enhancing fruit production.
Copyright (c) 2026 Naseem Akhtar Randhawa, Muhammad Hasan Abdullah, Maryam Sarfraz, Muhammad Arfan-ul-Haq, Waqar Ahmad, Muhammad Abubakar Siddique, Sumreen Siddiq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
VALORIZING TOMATO PEEL FOR THE DEVELOPMENTOF CARROT SAUCE WITH ENHANCED CAROTENOIDRETENTION AND STORAGE STABILITY
Utilizing food processing by-products as functional food ingredients is an emerging perspective for sustainable food production. The present study was conducted to develop carrot sauce with enhanced nutritional profile and improved storage stability by utilizing tomato peel powder. The sauce formulations containing 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of tomato peels as a substitution of carrot pulp were developed and evaluated for physicochemical properties (pH, acidity, total soluble solids and color parameters), nutritional content (lycopene and β-carotene), microbial safety and sensory acceptability during 90 days of ambient storage. The carrot sauce supplementation with tomato peel powder significantly improved lycopene content, ranging from 102.41 to 131.54 µg/g, with maximum retention of 85.37% in T4 (20% tomato peel powder) at the end of storage. T4 also exhibited improved storage stability in terms of pH (4.61 to 4.52), acidity (1.22 to 1.42%), and microbial count (
Copyright (c) 2026 Hafiz Usama Noor, Muhammad Hamdan Rashid, Hammad Naeem, Bareera Shafiq, Sidra Rashid, Rabiya Zulfiqar Rabiya Zulfiqar, Zarina Yasmin, Zafar Iqbal, Sharoon Masih, Muhammad Abrar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
RICE GERMPLASM SCREENING FOR COMBINED RESISTANCE TO BACTERIAL LEAF BLIGHT AND SHEATH BLIGHT
One of the most damaging diseases affecting rice production globally is bacterial leaf blight (BLB), which is brought on by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Rice crops are becoming more vulnerable to major diseases due to the development and widespread cultivation of high yielding cultivars with a limited genetic base. The current study’s objectives were to evaluate the resistance of rice germplasm to bacterial leaf blight and sheath blight, and to identify potential sources of resistance for breeding programs. At the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, fifty-two (52) rice entries; thirty-two exotic and twenty indigenous varieties, as well as resistant and susceptible checks—were assessed in the field between 2024 and 2025. Using the clipping procedure, artificial inoculation was carried out. Among the subject of study lines, the disease incidence varied from 2.0% to 80.0%. Based on IRRI disease grading, two genotypes (GCSSh.B-5 and GCSSh.B-19) were classified as resistant, five as moderately resistant, five as moderately susceptible, nine as susceptible, and five as highly susceptible. Compared to susceptible lines, resistant lines performed better agronomically, with comparatively more productive tillers and longer panicle length. In order to develop rice cultivars resistant to BLB, these resistant germplasm lines can be useful genetic resources.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sana-e Mustafa, Summra Siddique, Rana Ahsan Raza Khan, Ruqqaya Abdul Majeed, Bilal Atta (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PARTICIPATION OF POSTGRADUATE AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS IN AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR FOOD SECURITY: EVIDENCE FROM FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA.
The participation of agricultural students in agribusiness activities is essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2. This research was carried out in 2023 to examine the participation of postgraduate agricultural students in agricultural enterprises and its implication for food security in FUNAAB, Ogun State, Nigeria. The researchers used a multistage sampling procedure to identify 291 out of 359 registered postgraduate students. A validated and structured questionnaire was used to collect the data for this study. Frequency, percentages, and mean scores (descriptive statistics) and such tools as Chi-square, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC), and multiple linear regression analysis were used. Results indicated that 55.7% of the respondents were males and the average age of the respondents was 32 years. Respondents cultivated an average farm size of 0.84 hectares and earned a mean monthly income of ₦78, 200 ($57.48USD). The most common source of motivation to get engaged in agricultural enterprises was through social media platforms (62.9%). The most prominent of agricultural enterprises involved by the respondents were teaching and research (x̄=2.08), crop production (x̄=2.03) and livestock production (x̄=1.97). The most important challenges to participation in agricultural enterprises were inadequate funding (x̄ = 2.39) and climate-related risks (x̄ = 2.36). Chi Square analysis showed that no significant association (p>0.05) existed between participation of the respondents in agricultural enterprises and sex (χ=1.443. p=0.486), marital status (χ=7.931. p=0.094) and religion (χ=5.963, p=0.071). In addition, a significant relationship (p< 0.01) and challenges encountered (β = 0.782, t = 2.149, p < 0.05) had the most significant effect on participation in agricultural enterprises among the respondents. The study recommended that increased access to financial assistance and specialized training programmes that concentrate on small-capital agricultural businesses can greatly increase the participation while utilisation of adaptation strategies could help to reduce the effects of climate related risks
Copyright (c) 2026 Ogunjinmi Kehinde Oluwaseye, Wole-Alo Felicia Itunu, Olusegun Emmanuel Dada, Adeuyi Oluwabunmilofe Oluwatosin, Oyediji Beatrice Itoya, Ajasa Boluwatife Racheal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
CRISPR/Cas Delivery Strategies in Animals and Plants: Current Applications, Limitations and Future Directions
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) - Cas (CRISPR associated protein) advancements revolutionize genome editing, enabling precise genetic modifications effectively. CRISPR/Cas technology has been applied in both animal and plant cells for therapeutic purposes and gene function studies in plants. In animals, CRISPR/Cas has various applications for therapeutic purposes. But the main concern is to precisely and efficiently deliver components of CRISPR/Cas inside host cells. For this, various delivery tools have been investigated for in vivo and in vitro incorporation of the CRISPR/Cas components such as viral vectors, non-viral vectors, and physical methods. Each delivery tool has its applications and limitations, and selection of appropriate methods is necessary for treating several diseases. In plants, the widely used approach for delivering CRISPR/Cas components is Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Other methods include direct (physical and chemical methods) and indirect delivery tools which result in efficient editing of genome in plants. In this review, we are focusing on the efficient delivery method with minimal drawbacks which cause efficient editing of genome in both plants and animals.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ayesha Waheed, Farwa Yaqub, Mahnoor Fatima, Ahmad Munir (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ZINC APPLICATION IMPROVES AGRONOMIC TRAITS, SUSTAINABLE YIELD, AND GRAIN QUALITY OF RED RICE, THEREBY ENHANCING NUTRITIONAL SECURITY IN URBAN COMMUNITIES
Zinc has physiochemical involvement in the soil and plant system, but inadequate consideration of this mineral by the farming community in plant nutrition leads to significant loss of production as well as the nutritional quality of food crops. The current study elaborates on the effects of varying zinc dosages at rates of 2.5, 5, and 10 kg/ acre on growth, yield, and quality characteristics of red rice. The study was conducted during 2023 at the research farm, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan. The results indicated that, the rice plants received nutrition as 10 kg zinc / acre exhibited significant contribution in agronomic (plant height and number of tillers), yield (panicle length, low spikelet sterility, 1000 grain weight and grain yield) and quality attributes (grain length, grain breadth, less broken & immature grains, color intensity, grain hardness and zinc contents in grain composition). Therefore, it is suggested that the application of Zn seems important for excellent growth, higher yield with good quality characters in grain to fulfil the demand of zinc fortified rice to improve the nutritional status of urban communities.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sadam Hussain Pirzado, Moula Bux Peerzado, Muhammad Kamran, Muhammad Usman, Muhammad Waqar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
TOWARDS LEAD-FREE FARMING: ENHANCING REGULATIONS FOR SAFE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN PAKISTAN
This study, conducted in 2025, proposes policy interventions to address lead (Pb) contamination in the agriculture sector of Pakistan. The absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework undermines sustainable agricultural practices and endangers food security. The study examined various case studies regarding lead contamination in crops across different regions of Pakistan and identified the underlying causes behind the issue. Furthermore, existing legal and institutional frameworks that work to curb heavy metals were studied for a better understanding of the current landscape. The findings revealed that Pakistan lacks a focused regulatory framework, particularly in relation to lead (Pb) prevention and detection. To address this gap, a comprehensive regulatory and monitoring framework was proposed, involving various ministries, departments and stakeholders. However, financial constraints hinder the implementation of the policy interventions. With proper attention from the government, robust support from foreign donors, NGOs and environmental agencies can serve as a much-needed solution. Some recommendations were also proposed to facilitate the effective enforcement of the interventions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Bilawal , Roshan Fazal, Muhammad Asim (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
STABILITY EVALUATION OF SUGARCANE GENOTYPES IN MULTI-ENVIRONMENT YIELD TRIAL
The stability and high yield potential of sugarcane is of great importance for economic survival of farmers and sugar industry. It warrants to develop site specific new clones across various climatic conditions. A study was carried out at Sugarcane Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad during 2023 with the objected to evaluate the impact of G×E interaction on stability and adaptability of sugarcane clones by two ways i.e. AMMI and GGE-biplot analysis. To achieve this objective, fourteen sugarcane varieties, along with one control, were planted at three distinct climatic locations in Punjab during autumn 2023. The design of experiment was randomized complete block design and (RCBD) replicated thrice under each environment. The analysis of the data displayed significant G × E interaction. The varieties CPF-250, CPF-253, SA-111 depicted stable performers across all environments. The results revealed that CPF-251, CPF-249 and CPF-252 have more specific environmental adaptations and performed better in Jaranwala, Sargodha and Chilianwala respectively. CPF-246 and CPF-248 have produced the low average cane yield across all three environments. The most productive varieties, as indicated by the stability analysis, were G9 (CPF-252) and G10 (CPF-253). These varieties demonstrated stability and were recommended for the future commercial cultivation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Abdul Khaliq, Mehmood ul Hassan, Muhammad Zia ul haq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MOTORWAY INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND ITS IMPACTS ON CROPPING PATTERNS AND RURAL LIVELIHOODS IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
This study was conducted to assess the impact of motorway infrastructure projects on land use change and livelihood strategies of farming households in the rural areas of the Punjab, Pakistan. Study was conducted during 2023-24. There is a general agreement on the fact that one of the most important factors for the development of the region, is transport infrastructure, which creates new livelihood opportunities. However, land use change from agriculture to non- agricultural purpose known as land conversion can also be an outcome of road construction. land conversion has also disturbed the balance of environment and particularly agricultural biodiversity. In this context, the objective of the research was to assess the impact of motorway infrastructure projects on cropping pattern change and rural livelihoods in Punjab, Pakistan. For sampling purpose, a multistage method was applied to obtain a required information from 400 farming households. There are five motorways in Punjab Province, and out of these, three motorways were constructed during the last four years. Two newly constructed motorways were selected randomly. One tehsil from each region was selected purposely from where the motorways were being passed. From each tehsil, two union councils were selected purposely and after selection of union councils, three villages were selected, and from each village farming households were selected proportionately. The results obtained indicated after motorway construction, that 57.5% of respondents reported increase in their income through non-farming sources. ‘increased in the land value’ with the respondent’s opinion placed at ranked 1st and ‘Increased the no. of restaurants were ranked 6th position with mean value of 4.36 and 3.90 respectively. Similarly, more than half (55.5%) of respondent’s household’s assets were increased. Similarly, ‘agric. land decreased’ ‘intensive agric. Increased’ were ranked 4th and 5th with mean values of 3.06, 2.96 respectively. The results also indicate that, ‘Govt. policies affect cropping patterns’ with mean value of 3.83 were ranked at 1st position and moreover, ’Information from extension (private)’ were placed at ranked 2nd with mean value of 3.57. Market prices affect cropping patterns ranked at 3rd position with mean value of 3.32. Similarly, ‘Change in market demand’ were kept at ranked 4th with mean value of 3.24, and’ Information from extension services (public)’ were placed at ranked 5th with mean value of 3.20
Copyright (c) 2026 Asif Ali Agrarian, Babar Shahbaz (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
OPTIMIZING TRANSPLANTING DATES FOR EXCELLENT GRAIN QUALITY IN BASMATI RICE OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
The timing of transplanting rice crop significantly impacts the grain quality of Basmati rice varieties. This study was conducted during the 2021 to 2024 cropping seasons at the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku, Punjab, Pakistan, to determine the optimum transplanting time for achieving superior grain quality. Four transplanting dates (June 03, June 24, July 15, and August 06) were evaluated across five indigenous Basmati varieties, namely Super Basmati, Super Basmati 2019, PK 1121 Aromatic, PK 2021 Aromatic, and Vital Basmati. Results revealed that transplanting on July 15 recorded the highest head rice recovery (63–65%), kernel length (7.6–7.9 mm), and elongation ratio (1.85–1.92), thereby ensuring excellent milling quality. In contrast, transplanting on August 06 improved aroma scores (7.8/9) but reduced milling recovery (<55%). Early transplanting (June 03) resulted in comparatively lower physical grain quality and milling recovery. The findings suggest that to achieve optimum Basmati rice grain quality and ensure better economic returns, transplanting should ideally be completed by mid-July.
Copyright (c) 2026 Farah Shamim, Mohsin Ali Raza, Muhammad Shahid Munir, Muhammad Ijaz (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EFFECT OF NITROGEN SOURCE AND APPLICATION SCHEDULE ON PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY OF BLACK CUMIN (NIGELLA SATIVA L.)
Efficient nitrogen (N) management through its appropriate source and timing of application is essential for enhancing crop yield. A field study was conducted during the winter growing seasons 2021–22 and 2022–23 at Agronomic Research Station, Khanewal, Punjab-Pakistan to most suitable source and application time of N on growth and yield of black cumin. Ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate and urea were used as different N sources and whole N application at sowing, 1/2 N at sowing + 1/2 N at branching, 1/3 N at sowing + 1/3 at branching + 1/3 at f lowering as varable N application timings. Results showed that ammonium sulfate consistently outperformed all other N sources. Relative to urea, ammonium sulfate increased plant height by 18% and 4%, branches per plant by 33% and 25% during 2021–22 and 2022–23, respectively. The number of capsules per plant improved by 8% and 7% in the respective years. Likewise, ammonium sulfate increased the number of seeds per capsule by 12% and 5% and boosted seed yield by 7% and 9% across the two years. Among N split-application treatments, the three-split application of 18.3 kg N ha⁻¹ at sowing, branching and flowering proved the most effective. Compared with the control, said treatment increased plant height by 90% and 18% during 2021–22 and 2022–23, respectively. The number of branches per plant improved by 150% and 57%, while the number of capsules per plant increased by 17% and 33% across the two years. Similarly, said treatment enhanced the number of seeds per capsule by 94% and 16%, and increased 1000-seed weight by 84% and 53% in the respective years. Seed yield was also substantially higher, with gains of 67% and 50% over the control. A significant interaction between N source and N split-application was observed. Among all combinations, ammonium sulfate applied in three splits produced the highest values. Compared with the lowest-performing combination; urea with no N application (control); this treatment increased plant height by 114% and 23% in 2021–22 and 2022–23, respectively. The number of branches per plant increased by 200% and 67%, while the number of capsules per plant improved by 22% and 44% across the two years. Thousand-seed weight was enhanced by 112% and 49%, and seed yield was boosted by 70% and 68%, respectively. Economic analysis revealed that ammonium sulfate applied in three splits gave the highest net income (Rs. 301044 and 301044 during 2021-22 and 2022-23 respectively) and benefit-cost ratio (2.41 and 1.99) during respective years. It is concluded that the application of ammonium sulfate in three equal splits at sowing, branching, and flowering is the most effective N management strategy for black cumin.
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Iqbal, Saba Iqbal, Asmat Ullah, Naveed Akhtar, Arbab Jahangeer, Muhammad Arshad, Tahira Tabassum, Ali Zohaib, Farhat Bashir, Siraj Ahmed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
FORESTATION: THE ULTIMATE REMEDY FOR NATURAL DISASTER, AN EVALUATIVE STUDY
The research study aimed to analyze the participation of the governmental and non-governmental sectors in Billion Tree Project, and to assess the involvement of agricultural extension agents. This study was carried out in the Faisalabad district. The research population comprised the employees of forest department, school education department, agriculture extension office in Faisalabad, and local communities. The research population was comprised of 50 agricultural extension agents, 33 teachers from 3 government schools, 50 employees from the forest department, and 50 local residents. This was survey-type research. Quota sampling was used. The sample was 183 respondents by using www.surveysystem.com with a confidence interval of 5% and 95% confidence level. A well- structured questionnaire was developed for the collection of data. The frequencies, averages, standard deviation, weighted score and chi-square were employed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results show that there was a need for plantations in urban areas to control the temperature. The research indicates the role of government that contributes in different perspectives. The teacher has spread awareness in various ways that people recommend 44% maximum in a medium-range. Research results indicated that increase in the income of local people variable mean is 3.38 and the standard deviation is 0.976, agricultural extension agents highly participated to create green Pakistan. It was crucial in ensuring pay availability for jobless laborers and providing employment for farmers in nursery development, while simultaneously serving as a significant source of income. This approach fosters significant motivation for tree planting, resulting in reduced pollution levels, diminished deforestation, and contributions to the forest afforestation. These initiatives positively impacted our surrounding environment. Therefore, we should refer to plantations that will be able to meet more demand because of technological advancement.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aqeela Saghir, Sadia Ijaz, Khalid Bashir³, Ijaz Ashraf, Rafay Muzamil, Saba Javed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
IMPACT OF COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES ON MARKETING OF ARABLE CROPS IN RURAL-URBAN SETTINGS OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
This study examined the impact of cooperative societies on the marketing of arable crops in the rural–urban areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. The research, conducted in 2025, employed a simple random sampling technique to select 228 members from 535 registered cooperative members. Data were collected using a validated and structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The respondents were predominantly male, around 50 years of age, educated, with an average monthly income of ₦150,000, 18 years of farming experience, and membership in producers’ cooperatives. The findings indicated that cooperative societies significantly enhanced members’ livelihoods by improving market access ( x ̅= 3.81), enabling better prices for produce (x ̅ = 3.85), and facilitating credit for farm inputs ( x ̅= 3.85). However, key challenges identified included inadequate storage facilities (x ̅= 1.86), poor transportation ( x ̅= 1.93), and delayed payments for produce ( x ̅= 1.66). Statistical analysis revealed significant relationships between educational level (p = 0.016), farming experience (p = 0.002), and the perceived impact of cooperatives on marketing. Overall, cooperative membership improved market access, secured better selling prices, and expanded credit opportunities as factors that collectively enhanced productivity and living standards. It is recommended that cooperatives, while leveraging their credit-access advantage, negotiate more flexible loan terms with financial institutions to stimulate greater investment in farming. Furthermore, cooperative leaders should collaborate with relevant government agencies to enhance awareness, eligibility, and documentation for agricultural grant access, thereby addressing structural challenges in arable crop marketing.
Copyright (c) 2026 Adetarami Oluwaseun, Oyewole Oore-ofe Victoria, Soetan Olatunbosun Jonathan, Olugbenga Jegede, Ukachi Esther Uloma (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
YIELD PERFORMANCE AND DISEASE RESPONSE OF NOVEL TOMATO HYBRIDS UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS
The study was conducted at the at vegetable research area of Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad, Pakistan, during 2024–25 to develop and evaluate newly developed tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) hybrids for yield performance and disease tolerance. Eleven new hybrids, including a commercial check (Marjan), were tested in a randomized complete block design with three replications under field conditions. Significant differences were observed among genotypes for vegetative, reproductive and yield traits. Hybrid NBH-714 produced the highest yield (3.0 kg plant-1; 34.3 t ha-1), followed by NBH-715 and NBH-691. Standard heterosis varied from -0.73 to 66.6%, indicating strong hybrid vigor in several crosses. All hybrids were susceptible to early blight, while NBH-721 showed the lowest late blight index (29.7%). Yield-related traits contributed most to genetic variability based on principal component analysis. Overall, NBH-714, NBH-715 and NBH-691 exhibited superior yield potential and are recommended for commercial evaluation and breeding improvement under local agro-climatic conditions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ariba Shamail, Abdul Rehman Khan, Amjad Hameed, Saba Akram, Khalid Pervaiz Akhtar, Madiha Shafique (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT NURSERY GROWING MEDIA ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF PAPAYA (CARICA PAPAYA L.)
The current experiment was conducted at fruit plant nursery of Horticultural Research Institute, (HRI), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, (AARI), Faisalabad during 2023-24 to evaluate the impact of different growing nursery materials and their combinations on emergence and growth of papaya seedling. Seven treatments were applied viz., T1 [Pond soil: sand (1:1)]; T2 (Pond soil: sand (1:1) and 1 cm coco peat on top); T3 (Pond soil: leaf manure 1:1); T4 (Pond soil: leaf manure 1:1 and 1 cm coco peat on top), T5 (Pond soil: vermicompost 1:1), T6 (Pond soil: vermicompost 1:1, and 1 cm coco peat on top), and T7 (peat moss alone). The experiment was laid out according to Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having four replications. The treatments exhibited significant variations. Among them T2 produced the best results showing the highest germination rate (94.37 %), vigor index (1819.7), root number (24.75), and root length (18.48 cm), while T7 showed the the poorest performance. The results suggested that incorporation of cocopeat into soil-based nursery material improves substrate quality and root development. Therefore, it is recommended that for successful raising of papaya nursery the growing media composed of Pond soil: sand (1:1) and 1 cm coco peat on top can be used effectively for producing vigorous papaya seedlings suitable for transplanting.
Copyright (c) 2026 Malik Mohsin Abbas, M. Amna Jamil Kanwal, Maryam Nasir, Nida Mahreen, Sahar Rasheed, Naseem Sharif, Qamar Shahzad Anjum (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
IMPACT OF EXOGENOUS NICKEL APPLICATION ON MUNGBEAN PRODUCTION AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS
Nickel (Ni) is an essential micronutrient present in urease enzyme of plants and microorganisms required for overall plant growth especially in nodule forming crops. To assess the nickel role for crop growth attributes of mungbean, two year field trial were conducted on different treatments of 1 nickel by using Randomized Complete Block design at the farm area of Soil Chemistry Section, AARI, Faisalabad for two consecutive years. Nickel Sulphate as Ni treatment was applied @ 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kg ha-1 to the soil as basal along-with recommended dose of NPK fertilizers. The increasing trend of shoot length, No. of pods plant-1 and No. of grains pod-1 with the application of increased Ni rate was observed. The maximum grain yield of mungbean (473.17 & 498.14 kg ha ) was observed where 10 kg ha-1 nickel was applied and minimum grain yield (429.52 & 441.21 kg ha-1) was observed in control in 1st and 2nd year of mungbean, respectively. The application of Ni also showed the increased Ni content in grains with the maximum content of 4.74 & 4.91 µg g-1 in 1st and 2nd year, respectively, where 10 kg ha-1 Ni was applied. The phosphorus content (0.481 & 0.514 µg g-1) was observed maximum where (NPK+ 10 kg ha-1 Ni) as compared to control and T2 (NPK+ 2 kg ha-1). It was concluded that the application of Ni to the growth medium improved the growth and grain yield and should be considered as beneficial micronutrient. The research clearly shows that nickel fertilization to the soil can improve mungbean growth, yield, and nutrient uptake, especially in soils low in nickel.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ifra Saleem, Qudsia Nazir, Nisa Mukhtar, Rimsha Nazir, Ana Aslam, Amina Kalsom, Farah Rasheed, Raheela Naz, Hina Javed, Allah Nawaz, Abid Niaz, Sarfraz Hussain, Alamgir Alvi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A REVIEW ON AGRONOMIC ERRORS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS IN WHEAT, RICE, MAIZE AND BERSEEM
A review was conducted to study and synthesize major agronomic errors and their corrective strategies in four economically important crops: wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), maize (Zea mays L.), and berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). Agronomic errors in wheat are noticed in seeding rate, fertilizer use, irrigation, and weed management that result in 20–25% yield loss. Whereas in rice errors plant population, nutrient control, planting, and irrigation and account for 15–30% loss. Maize is also affected by improper planting depth, shortage of nutrients, improper pest guarding, and inadequate crop rotation and accounts for 15–25% loss in yield. Berseem yield is also affected by agronomic errors in date of sowing, irrigation, soil fertility management, and weed control and account for 10–20% loss. The findings highlight the importance of optimal sowing time, balanced fertilizer application, scheduling of irrigation, and integrated weed and pest management has in managing yield gaps as well as sustaining the system.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ameer Hamza, Hamza Khan, Kamran Khan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE PADDY WEEDER DESIGN USING MSC Adams, EDEM, AND ANSYS
The growing demand for sustainable and efficient weed management practices in paddy cultivation has led to the need for eco-friendly mechanical alternatives to chemical herbicides. This study is performed in 2025 to demonstrates the comprehensive virtual prototyping approach towards sustainable design of a walk-behind inter-row paddy weeder using MSC Adams, EDEM, and ANSYS software integration. A 3D model of the weeder was prepared in the SolidWorks software and analyzed using multibody dynamics (MBD) simulation in MSC Adams to determine the kinematic behaviour, which shows a relative error of less than 2% between the simulated and theoretical values. The validated model was co-simulated together with the EDEM to develop a virtual digital twin that provided a realistic representation of soil-tool interactions, from which dynamic forces were extracted for static structural analysis in ANSYS. Among the three blade designs (D1 , D2 , D3 ), the structural integrity was best in design D2 , with minimal deformation (0.18 mm), the equivalent stress was low (63.3 MPa), and the safety factor was 1.26 compared with the excessive stress of D1 (651.04 MPa, FOS 0.38). The developed virtual prototyping framework greatly reduces the need for physical prototypes and field trials, which greatly decreases the cost and time of development. This simulation-driven design offers a low-cost and long-term energy-efficient alternative for sustainable management of paddy weeds. The results highlight the potential of digital engineering tools to drive the adoption of climate-smart agricultural machinery.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aftab Khaliq, Ibrar Ahmad, Fiaz Ahmad, Muhammad Faheem, Badar Munir Khan Naizi , Hafiz Sultan Mahmood, Mahmood Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
GREEN EXTRACTION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WASTE AS A PRECURSOR OF NUTRACEUTICALS
The global population is experiencing rapid growth, resulting in significant challenges related to disease prevalence, food security, healthcare systems, and nutrition. The processing of fruits and vegetables generates vast quantities of agro-waste. The disposal of agro-waste represents both a cost to the processor and poses potential negative impacts on the environment. The valorization of these waste materials into the extraction of bioactive compounds with nutraceutical potential serves as a new pathway for sustainable utilization. The present study was aimed to prepare the aqueous extracts of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) waste, grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfad) peels and pea (Pisum sativum) pods using different methods such as extraction at room temperature and boiling for determination of various bioactive compounds. Quantitative analysis revealed that cabbage extracts contained the highest phenolic contents (161.62 mg GAE/g) among the other extracts. Grapefruit peels demonstrated the highest tannin contents (33.56 mg tannins/g), while pea pod extracts were notable for flavonoid contents (31.83 mg QE/g). Cabbage extracts also exhibited substantial reducing sugar (136.96 mg glucose/g) and total sugar (560.2 mg glucose/g). However, there were no significant variations (p > 0.05) among the bioactive compounds in cabbage waste, grapefruit peels, and pea pods , when compared with each other. So, aqueous green extracts of these plant material could be used as saver nutritional agent as compared to the other conventional non-greener extracts. These could be a stimulator for sustainable and economical nutraceutical future.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hadiqa Shahzad, Hina Akram, Javeria Nadeem, Sofia Nosheen (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COTTON CROP PRODUCTION AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF FARMING COMMUNITIES IN TEHSIL KHANPUR, RAHIM YAR KHAN, PAKISTAN
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.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aatif Ramzan, Sabir Hussain Shah, Muhammad Fahd Bhatti, Muhammad Rafique Shahid, Muhammad Yaseen, Muhammad Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASSESSMENT OF PROTEIN BIOAVAILABILITY FROM PULSES-BASED COMPOSITE FLOUR DIETS
The current research was designed to explore the potential of indigenous pulses as source of valuable protein for human dietary requirements with improved protein bioavailability. The bio evaluation of selected formulation of flour samples was carried out by running animal model feeding trail, and nitrogen contents of dried carcass were quantified by AACC official method. The study was conducted at National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 2022-23. The results of bio-efficacy study showed significant improvement in biological value (60.02-79.94%), protein efficiency ratio (2.08-2.77), true digestibility (60.98-69.25%) and net protein utilization (67.10-69.99%). For safety assessment purpose, the experimental rats were fed on formulated diets containing chickpea, mung bean and lentil flour blends in combination with wheat flour. Rats were subjected to serum protein analysis, renal and hepatic function tests. Results regarding the enzyme activity for liver function indicated non-significant variations among the experimental diets containing pulse flours compared to control diets. The enzyme activities ALT, AST and ALP varied as 48.584±0.424 to 68.78±0.386, 16.20±0.278 to 23.096±0.741 and 31.499 ±0.998 to 43.758 ±0.821 μmol/L. The values for urea varied from 2.97±1.06 to 4.172±0.788mgdl-1 and serum creatinine 0.47±0.174 to 0.56±0.095 mg/dl-1. Hematological study depicted increased level of hemoglobin and red blood cells from 4.0 to 7.0g/dl and 2.35 to 2.45 (X103 mm-3). The red blood and lymphocytes count ranged from 0.64 to 2.45×103 mm3 and 23.00-68.60%, respectively. The safety of the developed products was assessed from the kidney and liver functioning tests. Histopathology of liver and kidney showed no morphological changes in hepatic or renal tissues of the animals suggesting no negative effect of the diet in LFT and RFT. The lab values of these parameters were in the safe limits proving that pulse composite flours are safer for consumption. The intake of selected composite flours showed varied ranges of blood urea (1.74-2.29 mmol/L) and serum creatinine (17.92-18.68 μmol/L), among the different groups. No harmful effects were observed in rats after consumption of plant-based protein enriched diets. The results indicated that pulse flour based composite diets improved the protein bioavailability compared to standard diets and can be utilized to counterfeit the protein energy malnutrition within the community.
Pulses, Protein quality, Nutritional efficacy, Safety assessment, Hepatic function, Sustainable nutrition
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Saima Parveen, Dr. Sharoon Masih, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Dr. Humaira Kausar, Maaz Aziz, Prof. Dr. Imran Pasha, Dr. Muhammad Abrar, Bareera Shafiq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ADVANCES IN AUTOMATION FOR PLUG SEEDLING CULTIVATION AND TRANSPLANTING IN GREENHOUSES: A REVIEW
The world food security needs the adoption of effective and sustainable agricultural practices, which is affected by factors like population growth, labor shortage, and rising production costs. Especially in vegetable farming that is an important source of nutrients is impacted. Plug seedling systems, where transplants are cultivated in regulated greenhouse conditions, have much to recommend them, such as lower establishment costs, more efficient resource use (water, nutrients, pesticides) and better uniformity of crops. However, cultivating and transplanting of these seedlings are laborious activities, which require precision. This review explores the critical role of agriculture automation technologies in solving such challenges. In particular, we review the results of the current automated solutions used along the plug seedling production chain, such as automatic seedling quality evaluation, machine vision-controlled robotics to monitor and grade quality, robotic, and automated transplanting systems. Analysis of the findings demonstrate that these technologies can be helpful in increasing productivity, maintaining high quality and greatly decreasing reliance on manual labor. Lastly, we recognize existing constraints and future trends in order to offer future research and development directions in the field of smart greenhouse automation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ibrar Ahmad , Aftab Khaliq, Bushra Saddique, Fiaz Ahmad, Mahmood Ali, Muhammed Shoaib (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INNOVATION IN COTTON BREEDING: FH-416 AS A NEWLY DEVELOPED VARIETY FOR YIELD AND QUALITY ADVANCEMENT IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
ABSTRACT A novel Bt-cotton variety FH-416 produced higher seed cotton yield and fiber quality in different cotton regions of Punjab, Pakistan. Development of FH-416 was started in 2012 at Cotton Research Station, Faisalabad through hybridization between the parents like CIM-599(Bt) and FH-142(Bt). Selection of superior single plants started from F2 and superior single plants within superior progenies were selected in following generations (F3-F6) by using modified pedigree method. Evaluation phase for yield performance of advanced strains was started during 2019-20. The selected advanced strains evaluated in different trials including preliminary yield trial, advance yield trial, national coordinated varietal trial, agronomic trial, entomological trial and spot examination trial. Under preliminary yield trial, FH-416 produced 23.23 % higher seed cotton yield as compared to check variety. Under advanced yield trial, FH-416 showed maximum yield increased i.e., 31.10 % over the check/standard. Yield performance under national coordinated varietal trials, FH-416 revealed 13.41 % and 18.83 % higher yield with respect to check variety (CIM-600) and secured 1st and 2nd position during 2021 and 2022, respectively. FH-416 qualified the fiber quality standards with superior fiber traits including, staple length (28.92 mm), fiber fineness (4.28 µg/inch), fiber strength (32.03 g/tex) and ginning out turn (42.0 %). Amongst sowing dates, 16 March, 1st April and 16 April showed higher yield, predicting the best sowing window for FH-416 along with plant spacing 22.2cm and 30cm. FH-416 revealed tolerance for cotton leaf curl disease based on disease incidence recorded 1.03% and 1.29% during the year 2019 and 2020, respectively. FH-416 revealed moderate tolerance against infestation of insect-pests including whitefly, thrips, jassid and pink bollworm. Therefore, in the meeting of Punjab Seed Council during 2025, FH-416 a novel cotton variety approved for general cultivation in different cotton zones of Pakistan. However, FH-416 combines yield stability, fiber quality, and stress resilience, making it a promising option for Pakistan’s cotton revival.
Copyright (c) 2025 Amjad Farooq, Jehanzeb Farooq, Muhammad Rizwan, Yasir Ramzan, Farrukh Ilahi, Amna Nazir (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
IMPLICATIONS OF ASIAN REGION RICE CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL SUPPLY IN THE CONTEXT OF GREEN REVOLUTION
This study determines the rank and relative contribution of top rice-producing Asian countries to global rice production using data from 1961 to 2023. The data sparsity and high degree of correlation among the predictor variables posed serious issues that were managed through correlated component regression. Absolute values of standardized regression coefficients determine each country’s share in global rice production, which is then used to compute the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. It analyzes the data between two periods: the first represents the Green Revolution Period (1966-1992) and the second indicates the post-Green Revolution Period (1993-2023). Empirical results show that all countries except Nepal and Cambodia (1966–1992) and Cambodia (1993–2023) had a positive and statistically significant impact on global rice production. During the Green Revolution period, India and China held the top two positions, accounting for nearly 45 percent of the total share. India accounted for 22.75 percent, while China accounted for 22.19 percent of the share. In the post-Green Revolution period, these two countries secured almost 52.19 percent of the share, with China alone holding a 30.03 percent share. A comparison between periods indicates that Myanmar experienced a significant improvement in ranking, moving up by +7 places, followed by Cambodia (+4), Thailand (+2) and Bangladesh (+2). On the other hand, Japan (-7 places) and Indonesia (-4) witnessed the largest declines in rankings. The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index value was 1390 during the Green Revolution period; however, in the post-Green Revolution period, it was 1718, indicating a moderate increase of 328 points. The lower Herfindahl-Hirschman Index value (1390) during the Green Revolution period confirms that technological improvement and policy factors significantly contributed to greater geographical variation in the relative importance of each country’s contribution to global rice production. In contrast, during the post-Green Revolution period, the influence of such factors on geographic variation in relative importance seemed to be less pronounced. Our analysis further indicates that climate change variables, such as temperature, have inversely impacted rice production more in the post-Green Revolution period compared to the Green Revolution period. Based on the findings of this study, we recommend (i) policymakers should encourage advanced agricultural technologies and knowledge-sharing, especially in countries such as Nepal, Indonesia and Pakistan to increase their contribution to global rice production and (ii) policies should promote investment in underperforming regions and practice sustainability to minimize over-dependence on dominant producers such as China and India to minimize risks of food security and environmental impacts.
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Naveed, Anwar Hussain (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
UTILIZING POTATO PEEL WASTE FOR EXTENDING THE SHELF-LIFE OF FRESH-CUT APPLES
Fresh-cut apples are at high risk of browning, which makes them highly perishable. The growing demand for fresh-cut produce has made it essential to explore convenient methods to enhance the shelf stability of ready-to-eat produce. The current research was conducted to prolong the life of fresh-cut apples through edible coating formulated with potato peel extract (PPE). The effect of PPE coating in combination with chemical preservatives including ascorbic acid, oxalic acid and calcium lactate was studied on fresh-cut apple slices stored at 5°C. The treatments were designed based on three different concentrations of PPE i.e. 3%, 5% and 7%. Physicochemical analysis of weight loss, total soluble solids, firmness, titratable acidity, pH, browning index, vitamin C and sensory evaluation were conducted to determine the changes in quality characteristics over 9 days. It was revealed that with the increase in PPE, the browning index decreased along with better retention of other quality parameters. The treatment with the highest percentage of PPE (T4) also had the best score in sensory evaluation. Overall, the study demonstrated that edible coatings enriched with higher concentrations of PPE, particularly at 7%, successfully retained the acceptable quality and extended the storage life of fresh-cut apples.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rabiya Zulfiqar, Sidra Rashid, Hafiz Usama Noor, Hammad Naeem, Muhammad Hamdan Rashid, Irrum Babu, Bareera Shafiqe, Muhammad Abrar, Humaira Kausar, Saima Parveen (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EVALUATION OF COMPARATIVE RESISTANCE IN ELITE SESAME GERMPLASM AGAINST ITS INSECT PEST COMPLEX
Sesame crop is becoming very important due its export potential in Pakistan. Its oil is very important nutritional source as it contains 25% protein and 50% oil. It is a vital source of anti oxidants. In this study we evaluated ten sesame lines for their susceptibility to whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), Sesame capsule borer Antigastra catanalanis Duponchel (Crambidae: Lepidoptera) and mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis (Miridae: Hemiptera) under field conditions. The crop was sown in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) design with three replications for two consecutive years 2023-24 in June. Data was recorded fortnightly and averaged at the end of the crop season for statistical analysis. Results indicated that sesame germplasm has shown resistance to the insect pests. Minimum whitefly population was recorded on 19002 (1.63) sesame line as compared to check variety. Minimum mirid bugs population was recorded on 21005 (5.02) sesame line as compared to check variety. Least pod borer damage was recorded on 19002 (8.53%) sesame line. The results suggested that these sesame lines can be used in further breeding programs or these can be approved as new resistant cultivars. This would reduce insecticidal sprays on the crop as a result insecticide residue problem will be minimized which will be very beneficial to the environment.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ijaz Haider, Muhammad Younas, Sikandar Ali, Hafiz Bashir Ahmad, Hafiz Saad Mustafa, Ejaz ul Hassan, Muhammad Rizwan Bashir, Ahmad Nawaz Gill, Dilbar Hussain, Asad Aslam, Muhammad Kamil Malik (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INDIRECT SHOOT REGENERATION AND MULTIPLICATION IN GERBERA (GERBERA JAMESONII)
In vitro propagation in gerbera is of high commercial value. Four varieties of Gerbera viz Submarine, Danallen, Savanna and Stanza were selected for callogenesis whereas Var. Stanza was used for embryo rescue/embryo. Calli were induced from clumps following standard explant sterilization procedure. High culture sustainability rates were observed both in clumps (95 %) and seeds (99%). The earliest embryogenic calli were observed at various levels of 2, 4-D (4.39 days). The maximum calli weight (1.30 g) of leafy green color with small globular embryos was observed in Var. Stanza on MS-media modified with 2, 4-D. Less number of days were taken for callus formation in Var. Submarine (10.36) on NAA+BAP. The highest shoot induction was observed in Var. Savana (12.86 cm), while a greater number of roots (3.99) and root length (3.89cm) were recorded in Var. Stanza on various levels of of IBA. The embryo rescue was achieved from seeds inoculated seeds on MS-media. The seed coats were removed at the seed coat bursting stage followed by sub-culturing of seeds. The developed plantlets were tested and multiplied on media containing combinations of BAP and Kinetin. The earliest shoot induction (5.67) was recorded on MS-Medium modified with 2.5 mg/L 6-Benzyleaminopurine (BAP) in Var. Stanza Red + Bi-color (Red+BC). Higher number of shoots (13.67) were recorded at 2 mg/L of BAP while enlarged shoots were observed at 3 mg/L (11.46). The findings of the present study can be used for commercial scale production of gerbera.
Copyright (c) 2026 Monis Hussain Shah, Riaz Ur Rehman, Sehrish Somaya, Muhammad Usman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
FACTORS INFLUENCING FARMERS’ SATISFACTION AND ADOPTION OF MOBILE PHONE APPLICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
This systematic literature review aims to investigate the effects of mobile phone applications on farmers’ behaviour and satisfaction. Following PRISMA guidelines, this review incorporated 21 papers into the analysis, obtained by searching papers published between 2010 and April 2024. This review demonstrates that the use of mobile phone applications significantly enhances agricultural practices by providing various important types of information, improving market access, and increasing productivity. Specific apps, such as Ricult in Pakistan and e-Agri Finance in Malaysia, have improved profitability and operational productivity. Specific elements that directly determine satisfaction include usability and reliability, which consist of trustworthy appeal, and the composite nature of the beneficial quality, such as providing services like weather conditions and market analysis. Barriers include insufficient communication, technological support, and limited user-friendliness. Thus, the level of education, household income, and other socio-economic indicators can also influence the extent of application use and the level of satisfaction with them. Based on the literature review, the authors suggest that enhanced USE apps, improved extension services, enhanced technical support, stronger public-private partnerships (PPP), and addressing socio-economic factors may help optimize the use of mobile phone applications in agriculture.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
GENDER PERSPECTIVE OF CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITIES IN THE AGRARIAN COMMUNITIES OF SEMI-ARID AREAS IN THE PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world due to extreme climate change events. However, it is important to know about the perceptions about climate change vulnerabilities in the rural areas from rural communities to overcome the climate changes related challenges. Gender remains an important social factor and the effects of climate change are felt in a different way for women and men therefore, adaptation intervention also need to be gendered. In this perspective, this study was conducted to find out the gender wise perception of climate change as well as vulnerability and adaptive capacity in the context of climate change. A cross-sectional survey of the male and female respondents was conducted from 24 villages of semi-arid areas of the Punjab, Pakistan. Data collection was conducted during 2023 in two semi-arid districts of Punjab Pakistan one from Layyah and other from Bhakkar district. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select a size of 360 households. Both male and female members of the households were interviewed to have a gender perspective. A total of 720 respondents (30 from each selected village: 15 Males and 15 Females) were taken as the study sample. This survey was supplemented with 25 key informant interviews. The data were analyzed descriptive statistical analysis used. For comparison, the independent samples t-test was used to compare the mean scores of both genders for a given variable. The results indicate that the female respondents perceived that in the past 10 years the summer heat waves have increased and rainfall has decreased as compared to their previous years experiences. Due to climate change impacts extreme cold wave have also increased which destroyed standing crops, vegetables and high risk of disease attacks plants and livestock. During drought and dry spell most of the crops were also destroyed due to shortage of water. Due to climate change impacts irregular rain fall also effected the seasonality of the crops and some crops could not be cultivated. Results also show that the sampled households get their food form their own farms to fulfill their basic food needs thus in case when any natural disaster occur they cannot fulfill the demand of food and face shortage of food. “Household got food from their own farmland” got mean values 4.07 and 3.31 for male and female respondents respectively. There was a significant difference between male and female respondents with t-value 7.764. During any natural disaster female member suffer more for collection of water from far areas. “Household with consistent water supply during natural disaster” had values 2.74 and 3.02 for male and female respondents respectively. The tendency for male respondents was rarely to sometimes, while for female respondents it was between sometime to often there was significant difference between male and female respondents with t-value 2.881. The overall results also indicate that most of the household rely on natural resources and they face difficulty during any natural climate change event occur.
BRIDGING KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE: GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AWARENESS AND TRAINING WILLINGNESS AMONG TOMATO FARMERS IN FUNAAB MODEL VILLAGES, SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA
The study was conducted to determine the awareness and willingness of tomato farmers to be trained on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for sustainable production of tomato crops. The research was conducted in the university extension model villages in 2024. Probability (simple random) sampling technique was used to select 92 out of 118 registered tomato farmers across the study area. Interview guide was used to collect the data from the respondents. Data were analyzed with the aid of frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, Chi square statistic and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Findings showed that the mean age of the respondents was 33 years and 78.3% had no formal education. The mean number of tomato harvested per production cycle was 1.02 tons/hectare. Furthermore, tomato cultivation practices used by the respondents was manual (100%), majority (88.0%) sourced their seed from retailers in local market. Result indicated that all (100.0%) of the respondents were not aware of GAPs. Also, all (100.0%) of the respondents indicated their willingness to be trained on GAPs for tomato production. Findings showed that there was significant associations (P≤0.05) between educational status ( =0.98); access to extension services ( =0.90) and willingness to be trained on GAPs. Also, significant relationships exist between age (r=0.86); years of tomato farming experience (r= 0.73) and willingness to be trained on GAPs. Furthermore, significant association (P≤0.05) exists between awareness ( =0.93) and willingness to be trained on GAPs. The study established that socio-economic characteristics such as age, education, access to extension agent, years of farming experience and awareness are key variables to be considered in designing framework model in training tomato farmers on GAPs. The study recommended that the extension arm of the university- Agricultural Media and Research Centre (AMREC), research institutions, State and Federal Ministry of Agriculture should deploy more extension agents to create awareness, educate and conduct regular training on GAPs for the tomato farmers for safe and sustainable production of tomato in Southwest, Nigeria.