Determinants of Farmers’ Awareness and Adoption of Extension Recommended Wheat Varieties in the Rainfed Areas of Pakistan

Scientific evidence suggests that there is room for eradicating poverty and hunger by increasing food production through the adoption of modern agricultural practices farmers. This study aimed, first, to explore relationship between farmers’ awareness improved wheat varieties. Second, it aimed find key factors govern extension-recommended innovations in rainfed cropping system Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Data were collected from 395 respondents. A binary logit model was used analyze effect socioeconomic farm-specific characteristics on their extension-suggested Moreover, qualitative data 40 informants in-depth analysis. The results show a strong association technology (improved varieties) its adoption. extension contacts, income agriculture, access credit positively affected awareness, whereas education household sizes negatively awareness. influenced decision adopt included contact, confidence extension, risk-bearing attitude, access, size it. informant interviews reveal high incidence poverty, low soil fertility, inability make effective decisions, lack accurate weather predictability farming system, government interest, asymmetric information inputs markets contributed levels poor technologies. These indicate any intervention at farmers technologies, such as new varieties, should recognize heterogeneity characteristics.