Precision Agriculture Technologies; The Socioeconomic Determinants Of The Canal Lining Adoption

Abstract

Pakistan being an agricultural-based economy, needs to pull-out of the problems related to the agriculture sector. Irrigation system of Pakistan has leads to various seepage losses from the canals. The canal seepage leads to various problems including salinity and the waterlogging, ultimately devastate the land and its agriculture use. This study explores the causes of the water loss before the canal lining and its impact on the agriculture productivity, along with the[1] socioeconomic impact of the canal lining on the farmers and relevant respondents. The targeted area of the study was the agricultural zone of Faisalabad region of Punjab, Pakistan. Simple random sampling technique were utilized to collect the sample of 140 respondents. An amalgam of quantitative and qualitative sampling is adopted by relaying on surveys, interviews, observations and analysis of data. A descriptive analysis is conducted to analyze the data by using percentage and frequency method.

The results indicate that the 46.4% respondents have 17-25 minutes per Acer of time allocated for canal water turn followed by 32.9% with 16 minutes allocated for canal water turn. Majority of respondents (47.1%) reported that water quality is improved after lining.  Sixty-five percent view that the lining has reduce water logging to some extent, only 13.6% reported it ineffective. The 50.7% of total are concerned to some extent for water resources depletion while 31% to great extent. Majority (45% of respondents) report that canal lining is useless in preventing crops from the pest attack. 50.7% report that any industry exploits the canal while 49.3% said no industry use it. Majority reported that government policies are available for farmers (65.7%). It is indicated that there is significant relation between the farmer’s age & education and the assessment of the socio-economic impact of canal lining. Higher income also leads to higher assessment of the socioeconomic impact of lining. Thus, most of the farmers support the canal lining except few favoring the Kacha Warabandi system. Findings favor the socioeconomic factor and their role in defining the farmers’ behavior. Yet the effective planning, reducing conflicts, improving allocation and distribution can be helpful increasing capacity of the croplands and the sustain the agriculture sector equitably.