Role of Agriculture Extension Services in Enhancing Crop Productivity: A Review of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The agricultural possibilities in Punjab remain constrained by several issues including lack of modern technologies and environmental damage alongside climate stress. The agricultural extension services enable essential communication between research institutions and farmers to spread sustainable methods and modern farming technologies alongside farmer education. Researchers analyze the Pakistani extension system development which shows a shift from official top-down control to community-based and information and communication technology-centered methods. Public and private institutions with NGOs and donor agencies are assessed about their respective roles in extension service delivery. The paper discusses the essential operating tasks of these services through technology transfer along with training components and communication approaches and input supplier relationships. Evidence shows that properly developed extension programs create substantial gains in agricultural outputs, specifically in wheat rice and cotton cultivation. The extension service continues to face crucial problems including insufficient funding while institutional connections remain weak and services remain exclusive. The paper presents recommendations that monitor institutional development and information technology advancement and standard extension services to ensure sustainable agricultural progress.