Globally, there is a trend towards privatization due to poor performance of public extension services. Private agricultural extension system is considered demand-driven, cost-effective with efficient and quality service. In Pakistan, Privatization of agricultural extension system was started in 1988 when the then Government of Pakistan established a commission to look into the causes of poor performance of agricultural sector and suggest ways to improve its performance. The commission suggested the involvement of the private sector in reshaping agricultural extension. It was a major policy shift, in which the supply of inputs was shifted to private sector from public sector. Currently, 320 pesticide companies (private sector) are working in the Punjab. These companies not only provide pesticide products to the farmers through dealers but also provide advisory services to them. Privatization experiences in the world had mixed results. In some cases it has positive results while in other location the results are discouraging. The present study was conducted to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for private extension system in the Pakistani context where the literature is either silent or scanty about the performance of private sector extension. A cross-sectional research design was used for the study. The study was carried out in the Punjab province which comprises five cropping zones, out of which, three zones were selected purposively. Multistage proportionate sampling technique was used for the selection of respondents. A sample of 408 respondents was selected (136 from each zone) by using simple random sampling technique. Sample size was determined by using Fitzgibbon table (Fitzgibbon & Lynn, 1987). Similarly, a sample of 60 respondents from EFS of Syngenta (Pesticide Company) were also selected randomly by using the same table. The data were collected through personal interviews with the help of validated research instrument. The data, thus collected were analyzed by using computer software (i.e. SPSS). The results showed that a diagnostic skill of the EFS was strength of the system. Attributes of the EFS i.e. politeness and good conduct with farmers were also rated as strengths. Group discussion method was rated as strength of the system. However, subject matter coverage, target beneficiaries, extension approach and functions, communication, competencies of EFS of private extension found to be the weakness of the system. Limited opportunities existed for the demand of advisory services for specific crops at specific location and fee-based private extension system in the country. Overall it poses threat for the system. There were great discrepancies observed between the perceptions of the farmers and the EFS about the same questions. According to the EFS, the system has more strengths as compared to weaknesses. It is suggested that the steps should be taken to mitigate the weaknesses and ensure the strengths of the system. Similarly, threats should be converted into opportunities.
اہلیہ سید ابوالحسن علی ندوی ۱۵ دسمبر کو مجلسِ عاملہ کے صدر، مولانا سید ابوالحسن علی ندوی مدظلہ کی اہلیہ محترمہ کا انتقال ہوگیا، جو بڑی نیک بخت اور عابدہ، زاہدہ خاتون تھیں․․․․․․ اﷲ تعالیٰ مرحومہ کی مغفرت فرمائے اور حضرت مولانا کے غم و اندوہ کو زایل کرے، آمین۔ (ضیاء الدین اصلاحی، جنوری ۱۹۹۰ء)
Nations are identified, through their characteristics, behavior, conduct, power of thinking, determination, respect for humanity and adventures. Only material things do not guarantee the progress and development, until the individual of those nations have a proper line of action with sincerity, justice, high ethics and enlightment. If these just and sincere qualities are not in any nation, that nation cannot progress well. Today, as a nation there are serious threats to our culture and social edifice. And our frozen practice and progress can only be melted and activated by teachers. And no doubt, the life of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) is a source of great guidance for a teacher, because Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) is the greatest teacher of humanity throughout the history and a teacher following the foot prints of teachings of Prophet ((P.B.U.H)) can lead any nation towards the apex of prosperity, progress and development. The life of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) vividly reflects that a teacher should be a model towards society and nation. His vision, his practices and his teachings should accord one another. It is an established fact that teacher is a leader to any nation.
Strawberry is highly nutritious and economically important small fruit crop. In Pakistan strawberry yield and area is very less. Poor and irregular pre harvest practices cause decrease in marketable yield and shelf life. This research was executed to observe the pre and postharvest effects of salts and growth regulators on marketable yield and qualitative characteristics of strawberry. Pre harvest foliar practices consisted of CaCl2 (0, 3, 5, 7 mM), ZnSO4 (0, 50, 100, 150 mg L-1), GA3 (0, 50, 100, 150 mg L-1) and SA (0, 3, 6, 9 mM) those were sprayed on strawberry plants at different growth stages (three to four leaves stage and during fruit setting) to enhance the growth, marketable yield and quality attributes of strawberry. Among the CaCl2 treatments 7 mM was found best for enhancing leaf growth (15.25 plant-1), leaf area (37.0 cm2), crown growth (6.50 plant-1) and runners (7.0 plant-1) during growing season. Maximum marketable yield (348.50 g plant-1), fruit firmness (0.96 kg. cm-2), vitamin C contents (55.69 mg 100 g-1) and TPC (186.50 GAE mg 100 g-1) were also observed with 7 mM CaCl2 treatment. Foliar spray of 100 mg L-1 ZnSO4 was found best for enhancing leaf growth (18.25 plant-1), leaf area (52.0 cm2), crowns (7.0 plant-1) and marketable yield (369.0 g plant-1) with lower unmarketable fruit. Foliar application of 9 mM SA was observed better for increasing the leaf production (19.25 plant-1), leaf area (51.0 cm2), crowns (7.50 plant-1) and runners (6.75 plant-1). Minimum numbers of days (20.0) were required for flower anthesis when plants were sprayed with 9 mM SA foliar spray. Maximum marketable yield (414.25 g plant-1), vitamin C contents (56.72 mg 100 g-1), phenolic contents (191.50 GAE mg 100 g-1) and higher antioxidant activities (71.25% DPPH) were also noted from strawberry fruits where plants were treated with 9 mM SA foliar spray. Gibberellic acid (150 mg L-1) showed the superiority for enhancing the vegetative growth while marketable yield and fruit quality was not improved with same concentration of GA3. Maximum marketable yield (381.50 g plant-1), fruit TSS contents (7.85 ºBrix), vitamin C contents (52.23 mg 100 g-1) and higher antioxidant activities (64.75% DPPH) were observed from 100 mg L-1 GA3. Confirmatory trial was conducted for comparing the previous year best treatments from each experiment. By comparing, it was concluded that 9 mM SA foliar spray increased the marketable yield; improved quality attributes and extended the survival mechanism of strawberry plants during growing season. In postharvest study, maximum vitamin C contents (43.90 mg 100 g-1), TPC (132.75 mg 100 g-1), reduction in weight loss (6.08%) of strawberries and maximum firmness (0.42 kg. cm-2) was retained with higher concentration of CaCl2 (6 mM). During storage minimum TSS (7.85 ºBrix), maximum acid contents (0.62%) and total antioxidants (39.0% DPPH) were observed with SA (5 mM) application. In postharvest study it was confirmed that dipping application of CaCl2 (6 mM) and SA (5 mM) retained the quality attributes during 15 days of storage.