Exploring the Factors Affecting Wheat Productivity in Pakistan: An Empirical Analysis

Muhammad Waqas Chughtai; Dr. Faheem Qaisar Jamal

Muhammad Waqas Chughtai PhD Scholar, Faculty of Business and Engineering Management, Sir-Syed Case Institute of Technology (SS-CASE-IT), Islamabad, Pakistan.
Dr. Faheem Qaisar Jamal Assistant Professor, College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE), Rislapur, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Islamabad.

Keywords: Food security, Wheat productivity, Agriculture, Farmers, ARDL Model, Pakistan,

Abstract

Food security plays a vital role in both economic progress and social harmony, especially in nations such as Pakistan, where the agricultural sector significantly drives the economy. Wheat is the major staple food in Pakistan. This paper aims to explore the affects of major inputs on wheat productivity in Pakistan. For this purpose, a data for the period from 1981 to 2021 was empirically analyzed. The results revealed that the major inputs including improved sees, area under cultivation of wheat, water availability, fertilizer, Farm machinery, specifically tractors, play a crucial role in enhancing wheat productivity in Pakistan with a notable and meaningful effect. The study recommends that providing subsidies to small-scale farmers for key agricultural inputs such as tractors, tube-wells, and fertilizers can be an effective way to improve wheat productivity in Pakistan. Moreover, Access to modern agricultural machinery and inputs can also help small-scale farmers to increase their yields and reduce the cost of production, which can improve their profitability and livelihoods.