Identification and prioritization of agricultural risks with special context of rice crop in the Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the production and marketing risks as perceived by the rice growers. The study was conducted in District Sheikhupura of Punjab province. The study area is fully conducive for rice cultivation. Of the rice-growing farmers, 100 were purposively selected to interview. Data were collected through interview Schedule and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results depicted that the prominent risks appeared “high prices of inputs”, “price conflict between farmers, labour and buyer”, “fluctuations in the prices of inputs” and “high/low rainfall”. While the prominent coping strategy emerged as “information sharing with the community”. In this context, there should be some sound policies for price control of inputs. Moreover, the conflicts among the farmers, labour and buyer should be reduced by opting the conflict resolution strategy according to the situation. There is a need for effective and strengthened information sharing system for farmers.