Farmers' Awareness of Sugarcane Cropping Practices and their use of Information Sources for Sugarcane Production among Growers in Punjab, Pakistan

Muhammad Kashif1 and Abdulmalek N. Alsanhani2

1Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Studies, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan; 2Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The current study assessed farmers' awareness of sugarcane cropping practices and their use of information sources for sugarcane production among growers in the Tehsil Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan. A purposive sampling method was used to collect data from 120 respondents from two villages located in Tehsil Jhang. Findings of the study revealed that most farmers received information from fellow farmers and have high awareness of care of crop ratoons. It is suggested that agricultural extension and the Ministry of Agriculture should take serious action to initiate educational programs to educate farmers about advanced online applications to obtain modern agricultural information. Tehsil Jhang has suitable soil for sugarcane cultivation. Therefore, sugar mills are also responsible for educating farmers to increase crop production that may fill existing production gaps and improve living standards of farmers. The active involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture, Extension Department, and sugar mills could produce high-yield seed varieties through research and development programs.