A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology

The objective of the study is to apply the Farming Systems Research and Development methodology to identify the factors constraining the production process. It analyses the institutions, both public and private that directly or indirectly affect the farmers' perception and consequent decision making environment. Rapid appraisal, informal interviews and semi-structured questionnaires, interviewing key informants and grqup interviews, were the main tools used in the research. An important finding of the study is that the medium and large farmers get no better yields than the small farmers. The large farmers get higher yields in cotton only which is a cash crop, but yields in case of wheat and maize are almost equal to those by small farmers. Non availability of inputs like high yielding seeds, chemical fertilizer, poor supply and management of irrigation water, decline in soil fertility, shortage of fodder, lack of healthy and productive livestock are the major problems. For agricultural inputs farmers depend only on the informal input dealers. Agricultural Extension Workers do not give them proper technical guidance regarding the use of these inputs. There is weak linkage between extension worker, researchers, and farmers and no feed back mechanism exists. In the light of these outcomes of the study, recommendations have been made among others to improve the transfer of appropriate technology to the farmers, to streamline input availability and delivery and to promote livestock raising. Specific recommendations include:, adoption of FSR & D approach to solve the problems of farmers, involving farmers in research activities, multiplication, storage and distribution of seeds of improved varieties at village level, training of AEW and farmers at Union Council level, encourage agents of input suppliers to farm inputs supply centers at village level in the private sector, organize pre-seasonal and post-seasonal workshops for research and extension staff and farmers and introduction of improved fodder varieties.