IMPACT OF GREEN REVOLUTION POLICY ON RURAL POVERTY IN PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF DISTRICT SHAHEED BENAZIRABAD SINDH

Abstract

This paper determines the relationship between green revolution policy and rural poverty in Pakistan and also to find the poverty status in the study area. The data collection was based on primary and secondary sources of information. The primary data was collected from 405 respondents living in the district Shaheed Benazirabad, through field survey where as secondary data was collected from various published articles. The data was analyzed with the help of Statistical Package developed for Social Sciences (SPSS-20). The key respondents were divided into three categories of farmers i.e. 325 respondents were small size land owner farmers, 42 respondents were medium size land owners and 38 were large size land owners. These all farmers had total 4044 acres. This study focused on wheat and cotton crops cultivated by all farmers in the district. The secondary data covers per hectare yield of food and cash crops grown in the country that increased the income of farmers and reduced poverty. The average family size included in the study was six members. The poverty line was measured by the method Cost of Basic Needs (CBN) introduced by the Planning Commission of Pakistan; that is Rs.3030/- monthly expenditure of each family member. The results obtained from the study indicated that the average monthly expenditure of small farmers was Rs.18,989/- and their income was Rs.17,439/- (Rs.17,439 - Rs.18,989 -1550). The number of small farmers was 325, who were below the poverty line in winter season (wheat crop) only; the winter season is the second crop sowing season in Pakistan.

Keywords

• agriculture
• cost of basic needs
• expenditure
• green revolution
• hectare
• income