An Analysis of Public and Private Agricultural Extension Services in Balochistan, Pakistan

ABSTRACT:Present research sought to analyze public and private sector extension in Balochistan province of Pakistan. Five districts, one from each ecological zone, were selected which are Turbat (Kech), Lasbela, Mastung, Sibi, and Loralai. A sample of 375 farmer respondents were taken with a systematic sampling procedure. The response rate was 82.67%. A detailed and comprehensive questionnaire was used for measuring the effectiveness of extension activities performed by public and private sector extension field staff. The results revealed that a number of farmers received visits from private extension field staff on a fortnightly, monthly and quarterly basis, but not from public extension staff during these periods. When public field staff did visit, the favored method of extension was by exhibition and seminar, which ranked 1st and nd 2 , respectively, based on the mean score for each extension teaching method used. A majority of the farmers received farm visits and field st demonstrations by private extension field staff, which were ranked 1 and nd 2 , respectively, as preferred methods of extension. Most of the farmers agreed that public extension field staff provide information regarding application of irrigation and private extension field staff provided advice for the use of plant protection measures. Significant differences were observed between public and private extension field staff on various statements regarding competency level and agronomic practices.