Abstract
Garlic production has significant potential to enhance food security and income generation among smallholder farmers in Pakistan. This study evaluates the impact of improved garlic cultivation practices using certified seed on productivity in District Khyber, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 20 beneficiary farmers were selected, and field trials were conducted during the 2024–25 growing season. The study considered three key factors: landholding size, land allocated for garlic cultivation, and farmer experience. Data were analyzed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), and treatment means were compared using Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test at a 5% probability level. The results showed that farmers with smaller landholdings (>1 acre) achieved the highest yield (8.21 t ha-¹), compared to those with larger landholdings (<5 acres), who recorded the lowest yield (5.00 t ha-¹). Similarly, farmers cultivating garlic on smaller, intensively managed plots (1 kanal) achieved higher yields (8.43 t ha-¹) than those cultivating larger areas (6.07 t ha-¹). Farmer experience also had a significant effect on productivity, with experienced farmers (≤5 years) achieving higher yields (8.10 t ha-¹) than inexperienced farmers (5.00 t ha-¹).The findings indicate that garlic is a climate-resilient and economically viable crop for smallholder farmers, particularly when supported with certified seed and improved agronomic practices. The study highlights the importance of targeted interventions to enhance productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods in Khyber District.
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References
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