ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE: A CASE STUDY OF DISTRICT PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

Abstract

According to the latest report of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) agriculture is the largest part of Pakistan’s economy, plays a role of like backbone. Twenty four percent are added to the Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by agricultures sector. According to the Climate Risk Index (CRI-2021) Pakistan is one of the top ten most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change, experiencing impacts of climate change such as; heatwaves, floods, and droughts. The crop production is being improved by Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). CSA practices plays an act of sustainable agriculture strategy to cope with the challenges of climate change; availability of water and food security. This study assessed that up to what extent Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has improved agricultural resilience, profitability and productivity in District Peshawar, Pakistan in relation to walk-in tunnel tomato production. Mixed methods approach has been used. Smallholder farmers (including women farmers) are surveyed, participated in focus groups (FGDs), and conducted key informant interviews (KIIs) to get qualitative data and quantitatively from cost-benefit analyses. According to the results the CSA walk-in tunnels produced 797 kg from 480 square feet which is equal to 72,310kg per acre while conventional methods produced 215 Kilograms of tomatoes from 480 square feet (19,511 kg per acre). In comparison to conventional farming practices, the yield of CSA is increased by 270%. Improved yields and off-season market price of CSA walk-in tunnel is 82 PKR per Kg, relative to conventional farming, 45 PKR per Kg led to a net income increase of 271% per 480 square feet area. Training on enhancing farmers knowledge, integrated pest management, and careful input management reduced environmental consequences and resulted in 40 to 160% reduction in fertilizer and pesticides costs and use. Off-season yield reduced risk related to seasonal patterns, while CSA methods increased women's participation in agricultural activities, enhancing food security and farmers’ income. The importance of adoptability was also assumed considering that the main precursors for the awareness were NGOs, social media, and reports from friends, government, and research. Polythene sheet, plastic mulch and packaging materials, raised environmental issues, revealing the necessity for biodegradable alternatives.