Farmers' Perception of the Effectiveness of Fertilizer Advisory Services on Crop Productivity and Farm Income: A Case Study of Central Punjab

Abstract

This study aims to comprehensively assess farmers' perceptions of the effectiveness of fertilizer advisory services in enhancing crop productivity and improving farm income. A sample of 180 growers from district Sargodha was selected through a multistage simple random sampling technique as a case study of central Punjab. Data were collected using a detailed, validated, and pre-tested interview schedule and analyzed through SPSS. The results indicate that farmers considered the provision of latest information on IPM, irrigation, and pruning techniques (x̄ =4.04), and up-to-date content to improve yields and farm profitability (x̄ =3.84) as the most important aspects of advisory content quality and relevance. Regarding dissemination modes, farm visits to provide personalized advice (x̄ =4.06) and the establishment of demonstration plots to showcase practice efficacy (x̄ =3.90) were identified as the most preferred methods. Furthermore, recommendations based on soil analysis reports (x̄ =4.21), along with advice perceived to increase crop yields (x̄ =4.17) and improve farm income (x̄ =4.13), were rated as the most effective aspects of the services. The findings indicate that farmers perceive timely and well-designed advisory services as beneficial for improving their understanding of balanced fertilizer use, boosting input efficiency, and enhancing both yields and profitability. The study recommends that fertilizer companies design advisory content by considering local agro-ecological conditions, soil fertility levels, and specific crop needs. Furthermore, collaboration with universities, research institutes, and government extension departments is essential for developing more credible, effective, and consistent advisories, identifying gaps, ensuring farmer satisfaction, and evaluating long-term impacts on crop productivity and farm income.