Final Report for ADP/2015/004: Farmers' capabilities, productivity and profitability: A case study of smallholders in selected agro zones in Pakistan

The overall aim of this project was to identify constraints that impede smallholders' capacity to adopt innovative farming practices and better marketing strategies to improve farm-level productivity and profitability. The key objectives of this SRA were: • To understand the technological, institutional and capacity constraints that cause a wide range of differences in productivity outcomes for smallholders. • To identify the main factors influencing productivity improvement for farmers and the kind of policy measures can be adopted to improve these criteria. • To review the marketing strategies adopted by smallholders to maximize their returns and, thus, identify policy options to accelerate market reform. • To evaluate: (a) the agricultural support strategies implemented by the government and donors to increase farm productivity, and (b) the capacity of these strategies to support productivity development. This research that addressed these objectives involved several stages, including: (a) reviewing the literature and analysing the existing policies to promote pro-poor agricultural growth; (b) developing survey tools and econometric methods to measure the main sources of horticultural sector performance and various constraints that are hindering smallholders' productivity and profitability; (c) policy workshop(s) and consultation with stakeholders including academics, government officials, international donors and industry representatives; (d) focus-group interviews with smallholders to identify priority area for reform; and (e) dissemination of research findings through conference participation and policy briefs.