Identification and analysis of the barriers hampering wheat production in the Punjab, Pakistan: The case study of Vehari district

Wheat, being staple food occupies a very conspicuous place for ensuring food security in Pakistan but the real matter of concern is the gap between its potential and actual yield. The present study has attempted to identify the factors that have been hampering its required production. There has certainly been many production hindering factors. The aim of the research was to analyze those obstacles and present useful suggestions so that state of food security in the country can be improved. A cross-sectional survey research was conducted through an interview schedule after selecting the sample of 120 respondents randomly. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected in this research. The results of the study indicate that high prices of fertilizers and pesticides coupled with their adulteration are the most prominent barriers of wheat production. Likewise, unavailability of irrigation water and good quality low priced seed are also exacerbating the problem. Farmers are also being exploited by marketer in terms of inappropriate payments and dealings in the presence of price fluctuations and non-availability of credits to them. Last but not the least there remains a big gap between latest information regarding wheat and its growers due to which the former was not easily accessible and relied upon. The arguments in this paper could act as a food for thought for all the concerned stakeholders for an in-depth understanding of the issue. In this way they may be able to control to the barriers before it is too late by giving due attention to the factors identified in this paper. Otherwise the state of food insecurity may worsen in the years to come. Government level check and balance and mass media campaigns can play a potential role for reducing the problems of production.