COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC AND NGO SECTOR’S ROLE IN IMPROVING RURAL LIVELIHOODS IN THE PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

In Pakistan, both public and private sectors are working hard to deliver agriculture related information to the farmers. The basic objective of both of the sectors is to bring improvement in the living standards of rural poor. In this perspective, the current research was designed to evaluate the working of public and private sectors (NGO) which are working to uplift the livelihoods of rural community. Present study was conducted in district Muzaffargarh of the Punjab province to assess the role of public and private sector (NGO) in improving the livelihoods of rural masses through extension services. Through multistage sampling technique total 200 respondents were selected from entire district and were interviewed with the help of interview schedule. Findings revealed that electronic media and print media were being used by the both sectors for information dissemination. Both sectors were providing services related to the education, capacity building, trainings, and vaccination of livestock, inputs supply and awareness about the modern agriculture. Overall role of private sector was better than the public sector but needs improvement as effectiveness falls to the medium level. Study recommends the collaborative work of public and privates sector for the sustainable development of rural masses.