Role Of FWRDP Water Management Initiatives in Enhancing Wheat Productivity in District Bajaur

Abstract

FATA Water Resources Development Project (FWRDP) operates in many regions of the erstwhile FATA, including Bajaur, and one of its primary components is on-farm water management (OFWM). This study investigates how agricultural production of wheat in district Bajaur is transformed by on-farm water management practices. This study is based on household data from 120 farmers that were gathered using a pre-tested questionnaire. A binary logit model was used to identify determinants of OFWM on agricultural productivity of wheat. The study found that the age of respondents, farming experience, working members, water availability and community organization membership were statistically significant and positively related to OFWM effects on agricultural productivity of wheat. On the other side, variables such as education level, access to agriculture extension, credit and land tenancy were statistically non-significant and had an inverse effect on the agricultural productivity of wheat.  The overall model was significant as shown by p<0.05 which depicts that the socio-economic characteristics of the population are the main factors contributing to the effects on OFWM on agricultural productivity of wheat crop. It is important to consider these factors when designing policies and programs aimed at improving water management practices in agriculture to promote sustainable economic development and increase crop yields.