A journey from farm service centers to model A Presentation By Mr Allah Dad Khan Visiting Professor Agriculture University Peshawar

A JOURNEY FROM FARM SERVICE CENTERS TO MODEL FARM SERVICES CENTERS IN

KPK

BYALLAH DAD KHAN

FARM SERVICES CENTERS

The basic concept of the Farm Services Centres program is

to provide a plate form to the farming community, enabling them to resolve their issues of common interest, particularly in agriculture collectively through developing linkages with Govt. Line Agencies (GLA).

The purpose is skill enhancement and to arrange input before hand to be saved from any shortage and black marketing. It is a volunteer, public private partnership program.

The objective of the MFSC is providing all relevant facilities/services to the farming community (members) under one roof for easy approach in short time

MANDATE OF AGRICULTURE EXTENSION Agriculture Extension is serving the farming

community since long. The Agriculture Extension Staff was responsible for distribution of agriculturalinputs such as seed, fertilizer, pesticides and fruit plants and other inputs.. However, under the revised policy seed, fertilizer, pesticides and fruit plants was transferred to private sector and Agriculture Extension staff was exclusively spared for agricultural extension education , transfer of modern technology and motivation of farmers.

MANDATE OF AGRICULTURE EXTENSION CONTD

Since 1982 the inception of new policy, the distribution/supply of inputs to the farmers has become very difficult, as private sector is not reaching the remote rural areas. Moreover quality and in time availability of these inputs at reasonable prices is also another problem. Therefore farmers were facing great difficulties in getting Agriculture inputs, resulting in low productivity

HISTORY OF FARM SERVICES CENTERS

The severity of the problem seems to be intensified with the phasing out of ADA,FVDB and Agriculture Engineering Department. Keeping in view the sensitivity of the situation, Agriculture Department established nine Rural support and Farm Extension Services Centers (RS&FESC) in the province


Each center was provided with one tractor along with one set of farm machinery & Rs. 0.2 million revolving fund for purchase of inputs & its sale to the farmers on cash & carry basis. The main objective of establishment of these centers was the establishment of one window operation i.e. all inputs and technical guidance relating to each field and department were to be made available at these centers.


The centers were not successfully working due to the following reasons.

1. The centers were run by the Agriculture Extension staff and were completely Government patronized which resulted in the misuse of Tractors & Implements by the politicians in power and the centers could not flourish.

2. The membership was 120 only and the contribution of the farmers members i.e. Rs. 600/- each including matching grant of Rs. 2 lacs was so small amount that the center was unable to carry out inputs business


3. The farmers were not free in decision making. 4. The centers did not function as one window

operation. 5. After removal of the deficiencies prevailing in

these centers and adding more inputs the ADC Swabi Scarp Mardan established 10 FSUs (Farmer Support Units) in the project area which contribute more than 50 lacs with a matching grant of Rs. 34 lacs. As such the total amount is now 84 lacs with the FSUs having 5000 membership.


6. After impressing from the progress of FSUs the Ex-Minister of Agriculture Mr. Obaidullah Jan informed the Governor NWFP about the achievements of FSUs. The worthy Governor approved 25 Farm Services Centersthroughout NWFP.

7. Keeping in view the achievements of FSUs and FSCs it was decided to establish such like centers in FATA area for the benefit of the poor farmers of the FATA.

PHILOSOPHY OF FSC

Any programme with single objective is likely to collapse when this objective is reached. This is what happened in several projects in the past, in Pakistan and in other counties. The safest and probably to keep people together is by sharing a common objective or common interest. The same applies to farmers, organization to remain active and alive is likely to be boosted if several common interest are identified and strengthened. The objective of the FSC is to develop and strengthen these common interests, in a way that is sustainable thus requiring a minimum support from the line agencies.

PHILOSOPHY OF FSC

Good seed is fundamental factor of production in Agriculture and play vital role in yield increase. Access to quality seed at an affordable price is very high on the agenda of most farmers. Availability of quality seed at farm gate has always been a problem. Therefore it has been identified as a key problem to be addressed with in the FSC approach.

PHILOSOPHY OF FSC

Different strategies have been developed to overcome the problem of access to quality seed. Agriculture Extension (Seed industry scheme), ADA seed multiplication plots, Barani seed centersetc but none of them has been fully successful and/or sustainable. In order to increase the chance of long-term sustainability, it was decided to initiate an innovative approach called Farmer Services Centers based on the following guiding principles.

PHILOSOPHY OF FSC

The main objectives are to develop common activities, which are likely to strengthen the binding forces, which exist within farming community

PHILOSOPHY OF FSC

With these joint activities, quality seed production is likely to be the most attractive one even if other activities must be considered e.g. joint purchase of inputs (Fertilizer, Pesticides etc) joint marketing, storage and food processing etc. All joint activities should be implemented, conducted and developed on demand basis.

PHILOSOPHY OF FSC

In order to be sustainable, a leading role is given to the Agriculture Extension as it has strong network in the rural areas amongst the farming community.

The ultimate goal is the effective improvement of the farming community (financial & technical management by farmers themselves). The following are the main objectives.

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF FARM SERVICES CENTERS

Empowerment of the farming community. Equal facilities provided to all members, on a

transparent basis. Identification, prioritization and solution of the

problems using the available resources in an optimum way.

Establishment of a transparent and sustainable system free from exploitation and managed by the farmers/members themselves


Establishment of Linkages with Governmental and non- Governmental organization.

Enhancement of latent capabilities and potentials of the farming communities and their environments, including income-generating activities conducted by woman organizations.

Availability of resources (financial & physical) to the FSC members on sustainable & equitable basis.


9)Service oriented and not profit oriented system. 10)System where management is by the farmers

and for the farmers. 11)Ensuring effective technology transfer and

improvement of farmers skills increasing production of their farm land.

12)Ensure timely availability of quality inputs/services to small farmers.

13) Making the Farm Services Centre services oriented and non profit oriented organization.

HOW ACTIVITIES CAN ATTRIBUTES TO FARMING COMMUNITIES

The main activities to be under taken by the FSC, in order to reach the above mentioned objectives are detailed hereafter (points A to F). All activities will be conducted on a demand basis, and will be organized and managed by the FSC members themselves (Management Committee), the AO playing a role of Technical Advisor.


The list of common activities may be extended according to the needs and willingness of the members/farmers (majority vote in case of difference in opinion)

A) Seed production will be carried out by the FSC through its members with the support and coordination of the Frontier Seed Industry (FSI). At the beginning of FSC, quality seed production will be its priority activity.


i) The FSI and Agriculture Extension Department will provide basic seed duly declared as basic by the Seed Certification and Registration Department, at mutually agreed price. For further multiplication the FSC will sell the same to the seed growers member at reasonable prices approved by the MC.

ii) The Certified-1 seed production by the seed growers will be procured by the FSC as per agreement TOP to be signed between the Management Committee and Seed Growers.

iii) The C-1 after cleaning will be stored by the FSC and will be sold to registered members of the FSC at a price fixed by the MC of the centre.

iv) Seed Procured by FSC either from Extension Department, FSI, Research stations or seed growers will be cleaned at each FSC through the seed cleaner provided to them by the Government or purchased by the centre.


B) The FSC may get one (or more) fertilizer and/or pesticides agencies (subject to financial feasibility) for smooth supply of inputs to the members as well as to generate some income for the FSC.

C) The FSC may hire cold storage if needed. D) The FSC may consider the joint marketing

activities either through establishment of separate markets or through supply to other markets where the members can fetch better prices for their produces.

HOW ACTIVITIES CAN ATTRIBUTES TO FARMING COMMUNITIES E) The FSC may patronize the gender activities and

gender based entrepreneur-ship activities in the areas where possible.

F) The Management Committee will hold fortnightly meetings to determine the need of inputs and chalk out strategy for functions and activities. The Agriculture Extension and Research will assist FSC in preparing/programme for seasonal activities in accordance with local needs.

Representatives/experts of the sister departments/line agencies i.e. Agriculture Research, Agriculture Engineering, Livestock and Dairy Development etc will provide technical support to these center.

MARKETING STRATEGY

The members of the FSC will be trained in marketing. Exposure visits of the M.C will be arranged to different

markets. The staff of A.E Department will collect the daily market

rates of the agriculture commodities and will be communicated to the Radio Pakistan for daily broad cast.

Agricultural produce prices in other markets of the province/ country will be provided to FSC for the information of the farming community.

When linkages of the FSC is created and strengthened with other markets then the surplus produce can be sold in other markets by making bargain with the parties / dealers of those markets.

COMPOSITION OF THE FSC

A) General Body (GB) & Executive Body (EB) All member will constitute General Body. Executive Body: Which will be elected through proportionate representation of members

at Union council level at atleast 15 members from each Union Council should come through election from the General Body to form the Executive Body. Total membership of Executive Body may range from 50-100 Nos. based on the total number of members in the centers.

Management Committee The Executive Body will elect the Management Committee through

proper election procedure. The Management Committee should consist of President, Vice

President, General Secretary, Finance Secretary and Information Secretary.

MODEL FARM SERVICES CENTERS

Although all Departments involving in the Development of Agriculture were made bound (As per by-laws) in these newly created centers with more facilities but even then the centers failed to function as one window operation. This deficiency was seriously felt by the Ex Secretary Agriculture Mr. Shah Rukh Arbab. Hence he approved 24 model farm service centers from the Government.

MODEL FARM SERVICES CENTERS

Lack of coordination and scattered services delivery was one of the factors which were hindering the effective interface of the departments with farming communities . To enhance the coordination and service delivery at district level the services of all the extension departments will be integrated through Model Farm Services Centers .The Public sector Departments and representatives of the farming communities will only run theses MFSC.

MODEL FARM SERVICES CENTERS . It would be a one window operation where

beside presence of all departments, essential inputs like seed, fertilizers and machinery will be made available. Creation and joint operation of endowment funds will be the key factor. Alongsidethe latesttransfer of technology approaches such as FFS and Participatory Technology development will be the key extension interventions in agriculture and livestock.

MODEL FARM SERVICES CENTERS In these model farm service centers

representative of the entire Department, with soil testing lab and A.I centers along with office stores, training hall etc. of Farm Service Centers were kept under one roof so that the center shall function as one window operation in real sense.

STRUCTURE OF MFSC

THE WEAKNESSES FELT BY THE INSPECTION TEAM WHILE VISITING DIFFERENT MFSC IN KPK

As shown in the above model it was inbuilt that all the relevant department must be placed at the MFSC and the farmers would be benefited through one window operation , but it was noticed that except at few places the staff has not been directed to be available at MFSC , unfortunately the staff was not available .

The livestock department while asked for that live Stock Officer is not available , the administration informed that they have no spare staff to be placed at MFSC , which shows disinterest of the Department , the same is the case of some other departments at different sites,


Soil testing laboratories were the main infrastructure for testing the soil , in this connection in nine MFSC the laboratories were build , but they are not yet in operation since last four years.

It was decided that all the stake holders be involved in getting their share in operating MFSC , Agriculture Extension has taken the lead and Agriculture Research has not got their share , similar is the case of some other departments.

The project has not fulfilled the objectives of MFSC establishment as PC -1 was not implemented as was inbuild , which shows that after the passage of four years the farmers are unable to run these farm services centers.


Agriculture machinery in MFSC was not available the machinery received from Agriculture Engineering was just of no use. Which was not replaced?

Artificial insemination services as mentioned in document was not given importance the facility is not yet provided at MFSC.

Agriculture Advisory services in all discipline was not given to farmers as most of the president of MFSC are not trained and yet not taking positive interest in MFSC development.


Agriculture Extension staff is posted in MFSC inthat MFSC which are under the control of Agriculture Extension Department.

10.The membership is not increasing as it was required in PC 1 , in some MFSC the membership declined and farmers have taken their share back

11. In present situation it was also noticed that the election was not held in MFSC , and facilities were not provided in Farm Services centers.

12. MFSC only confine the activities to agriculture input provision , and did not care about other activities such as livestock, soil conservation , water management etc.

AUTHOR OF STUDY REPORT Mr Allah Dad Khan DG Agriculture Extension Incharge of

Team Who Established MFSC in KPK

Education

A journey from farm service centers to model A Presentation By Mr Allah Dad Khan Visiting Professor Agriculture University Peshawar