Papers by Muhammad Nisar Khan
Pakistan journal of zoology
A series of collection surveys conducted during two consecutive years (2011-12) to explore Odonat... more A series of collection surveys conducted during two consecutive years (2011-12) to explore Odonata naiads of Potohar plateau revealed 34 species under 6 families and 21 genera. Specimens were collected from different aquatic habitats that include almost all sort of waters including static, flowing, acidic, alkaline, brackish or saline. Details showing valid names, collection localities, ecological observations, number of individual male/female collected are provided for each species.
Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences: B. Life and Environmental Sciences
This study aimed to identify the existing onion production practices and constraints at smallhold... more This study aimed to identify the existing onion production practices and constraints at smallholder farms and profitability of onion in the Tando Allahyar district of Sindh during the year 2018-19. The primary data were collected from 24 randomly chosen onion-producing farmers in village Ibrahim Shah using a pre-tested systematic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate percentages, frequency, and mean, while the benefit-cost analysis (BCA) method was used to determine onion growers' profitability. Results of the study revealed that the overall average total cost and gross revenue of onion production were (Rs. 115120/acre, Rs. 154875/acre) respectively. The benefit-cost ratio was found to be 1.52 for (variable costs) and 1.35 for (total cost), indicating that onion cultivation benefits farmers in the Tando Allahyar district. The most common and local onion variety grown was Nasarpuri, which was cultivated by 87 % of farmers, along with Hazari and Phulkara. How...
This study was deliberate to observe the outcome and utilization of credit advanced by Zarai Tara... more This study was deliberate to observe the outcome and utilization of credit advanced by Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited. To ensure the Socio-economic conditions of farmers in Lakki Marwat district, a total of 100 respondents were selected from purposively selected villages. The 100 respondents were divided into half and the 50 respondents were the beneficiaries of ZTBL and 50 respondents were the non-beneficiaries. To match up and evaluate the production and income of beneficiaries with non-beneficiaries an independent sample t-test was used. The results show that only (12%) of the beneficiaries respondents have utilized credit for the right purpose while the majority of them (i.e. 88%) have utilized credit for mixed purposes like for agriculture purpose, household expenditures, marriages and for reconciliation purposes. The results also specify that credit has no positive effect on production and income of the farmers in the area. However, those who utilized the credit for the desired ...
Research Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, 2022
The purpose of this study was to assess the benefit-cost ratio of two high tunnels at the project... more The purpose of this study was to assess the benefit-cost ratio of two high tunnels at the project site of the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in tehsil Fatehjang of Punjab, Pakistan. The two high tunnels were established in 2012 by the Climate, Energy and Water Research Institute (CEWRI) of NARC with the financial collaboration of ICARDA and USDA under the project of "Watershed Rehabilitation and Irrigation Technology Improvements". The tunnels' finances are calculated on a per square foot basis and the costs and returns presented are based on farm data collected from two high tunnels during the growing season from September to March. Each high tunnel had a surface area of 1620ft 2 (20ft wide by 81ft long) and a height of 12ft. The fixed and initial investment cost of each high tunnel was Rs.72150, and the vegetables cultivated for demonstration in both tunnels were tomatoes, sweet pepper, cucumber, and pumpkin. In tunnel-A (250 transplants of tomato and sweet pepper each) and in tunnel-B (150 transplants of cucumber and pumpkin each) were grown. The study found that tomato, sweet pepper, cucumber, and pumpkin output were 692kg, 410kg, 450kg, and 670kg, and total net revenues received from tunnel-A and tunnel-B were Rs. 56700 and Rs. 40300. Tunnels-A and B have cost-benefit ratios of 1.69 and 1.27, respectively. According to the findings, tunnel-A had higher returns than tunnel B due to higher per-plant yield, particularly in tomatoes, which is one of the more profitable crops in a high tunnel. The major causes of less produce were soaring frost, which smashed the vegetables in the early stages, marketing of produce, which reduced the profitability of both tunnels because only 10% of vegetable produce was sold out at the fruit and vegetable market, and technical incompetence of farmers at the project site all contributed to lower yields.
Pakistan Academy of Sciences, 2022
This study aimed to identify the existing onion production practices and constraints at smallhold... more This study aimed to identify the existing onion production practices and constraints at smallholder farms and profitability of onion in the Tando Allahyar district of Sindh during the year 2018-19. The primary data were collected from 24 randomly chosen onion-producing farmers in village Ibrahim Shah using a pre-tested systematic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate percentages, frequency, and mean, while the benefit-cost analysis (BCA) method was used to determine onion growers' profitability. Results of the study revealed that the overall average total cost and gross revenue of onion production were (Rs. 115120/acre, Rs. 154875/acre) respectively. The benefit-cost ratio was found to be 1.52 for (variable costs) and 1.35 for (total cost), indicating that onion cultivation benefits farmers in the Tando Allahyar district. The most common and local onion variety grown was Nasarpuri, which was cultivated by 87 % of farmers, along with Hazari and Phulkara. However, the farmers were reluctant to use hybrid seeds due to their inability to withstand high temperatures. The main production constraints for onion growers were high input prices, particularly seed costs, and high labour charges for hoeing and weeding. Similarly, low product prices and high transportation costs were major marketing constraints. Due to a lack of technical expertise with current technology, such as a shortage of cold storage and skilled labor, the marketing of excess produce throughout the year was a significant problem for onion growers. It is therefore suggested that a comprehensive marketing capacity building and Global GAP will improve the quality, productivity and profitability of the farmers and open the channel of export for Pakistan.
http://doi.org/10.53560/PPASB(60-3)833, 2023
The current research is being conducted in Muzaffargarh district of Punjab, Pakistan to investiga... more The current research is being conducted in Muzaffargarh district of Punjab, Pakistan to investigate the profitability and land equivalent ratio of intercropping onion and tomato. An economic analysis of intercropping in the Muzaffargarh district can inform farmers about the profitability and sustainability of this practice, aiding their decision-making between intercropping and monocropping. The study utilized a simple random sampling technique to select 45 vegetable growers out of 60, from two major vegetable-growing villages; Hajiwah and Beli Janubi. Descriptive analysis, including frequency distribution, mean, and percentages, was used to analyze the data. The results of the study showed that intercropping had a significantly higher yield (17897 kg/acre) than sole cropping of onions (6075 kg/acre) and tomatoes (16050 kg/acre). Intercropping also had a higher benefit-cost ratio of 1.59, compared to onion sole cropping (1.37) and tomato sole cropping (1.48). The land equivalent ratio was 1.31, which indicated that intercropping was more efficient in terms of land use than sole cropping. The study also revealed that intercropping onions and tomatoes provided additional income to farmers and helped maximize land use. However, farmers encountered challenges such as high seed costs, diseases, low output prices, and high transportation costs. In conclusion, the study suggested that intercropping onion and tomato is a viable agronomic strategy in the Muzaffargarh district, as it improves land-use efficiency and maximizes returns. The study showed that intercropping complemented each other and contributed to increasing yield per unit area and improving nutritional properties.
Wheat and rice are the basic requirement of every household. This paper analyses the price trends... more Wheat and rice are the basic requirement of every household. This paper analyses the price trends for these crops over the last 30 years and based on statistical models, forecast their prices from 2013 to 2017. Different models have been applied to get the best fit model. These were linear trend model, quadratic trend model, exponential growth model and S-curve model. The minimum values of Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) and Mean Squared Deviation (MSD) have been acquired and then the forecasting was made for the best fitted model with minimum error. Five year average prices for the individual crop(s) were also calculated to observe the past trend. The study demonstrates that for wheat and rice (Basmati and IRRI); S-Curve model is recommended for forecasting price. The study presents an insight to national policy makers regarding the essential crops and provides them with a reference range of price in future so that they may be able to effectively deal with the increasing concern of food inflation in Pakistan.
Wheat and rice are the basic requirement of every household. This paper analyses the price trends... more Wheat and rice are the basic requirement of every household. This paper analyses the price trends for these crops over the last 30 years and based on statistical models, forecast their prices from 2013 to 2017. Different models have been applied to get the best fit model. These were linear trend model, quadratic trend model, exponential growth model and S-curve model. The minimum values of Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) and Mean Squared Deviation (MSD) have been acquired and then the forecasting was made for the best fitted model with minimum error. Five year average prices for the individual crop(s) were also calculated to observe the past trend. The study demonstrates that for wheat and rice (Basmati and IRRI); S-Curve model is recommended for forecasting price. The study presents an insight to national policy makers regarding the essential crops and provides them with a reference range of price in future so that they may be able to effectively deal with the increasing concern of food inflation in Pakistan.
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Papers by Muhammad Nisar Khan