Does Human Resources Development Contribute to Community Development in Rural NWFP

7/29/2019 Does Human Resources Development Contribute to Community Development in Rural NWFP

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Sarhad J. Agric. Vol.27, No.1, 2011 147

DOES HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTE

TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

ASADULLAH*, INTIKHAB ALAM*, NIAZ MOHAMMAD**,

MUSSAWAR SHAH* and NIAZ MUHAMMAD***

* Department of Rural Sociology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University, Peshawar Pakistan.

** Department of Social Development Studies, University of Peshawar Pakistan.

*** Center for Religious Studies, Kohat University of Science and Technology Pakistan.

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out in Lalku valley, Tehsil Matta, District Swat to see the effects of HRD

trainings on the community uplift. The main objectives of the study were to see the demographic profile of the

respondents and to asses the level of adoption in light of these trainings. The study found that most of the

respondents were young (64%) with literacy as (91%). Trainings were attended by (87%) land owners with

composition as agriculture (74%) livestock (36%) and disease control on fruit and crops (29%) with (51%) of the

respondents started using synthetic fertilizers respectively. It clearly depicts a trend of dynamism regarding high

rate of adoption and dissemination. These trainings have also indicated an increase in the income of people i.e.

(78%). It can be recommended in the light of the study that such like trainings should be extended to other parts of

province. Moreover, it should be landless/poor class friendly as this category represents the majority in a

community.

Key Words: Human Resource Development, Trainings, Community Development.

Citation: Asadullah, I. Alam, N. Mohammad, M. Shah and N. Muhammad. 2011. Does human resources

development contribute to community development. Sarhad J. Agric. 27(1): 147-152

INTRODUCTION

Before 1970 the development was only seen in economic context. However, with passage of time

development was conceived something more than economic context rather economy as a part in development. There

is general consensus today that purpose of development besides enhancing income along with broadening the

choices with respect to decent education, good health, political freedom, cultural identity, personal security, and

many other areas of human wellbeing. The term human resource development refers to the process of increasing

knowledge, skills and capabilities of all the people in the society through formal education, job trainings, adult

education programmes, self-development etc through institutionalized ways.

It is widely believed that for sound and sustainable utilization of natural resources, more stress is needed to

the development of human resource development programs (Jodha, et al. 1994). Similarly (Ablo, 1995) also stressed

that for general development; there should be some shift of capital towards human resource development. As

Anderson et.al (1998) while realizing the importance of sustainability of resources for scaling up on sustainable

grounds plays a prime role. Sustainability is essential as strengthening the capacity of locals will help achieving2020 vision of world, developed by International Food Policy Research Institute (Anderson et al 1998). Similarly

planning in dairy production, integrating natural resources, human resources, and capital complete package is vital

for sustainability in resource management (Brouk et al. 1998). The human resource development should precede

technical activities; implementers need to be encouraged to merge their technical skills with the indigenous skills of

locals in order to achieve a convergent approach (Datta et al. 1998). Challenges pertaining to food security with

special reference to low level of human resource must be catered with focusing on improvising these low unskilled

human capitals (Andersen, et al. 1999). To overcome this issue of low level of resources and human capital trainingsin various fields has greater impact in the development programmes (Muhammad, 1999). Similarly Nadeem (1999)

has also pointed out that Human Resource Development programmes foster the development of rural people. Thus

keeping in view the importance of Human Resource Development for sustainable Natural Resource management,

human resource development should be given due importance in policy formulation (Bhatia, 2000). Because humanresource development activities increase the natural resource productivity with efficient use (Imtiaz, 2001, Qaddafi,

2001, Amjad, 2002, Hamid, 2003, Hasnain, 2003 and Khan, 2003). Keeping into consideration the importance of

Human Resource Developments role in the locals capacity enhancement, the present study is designed to look into

the contribution of HRD towards community development.


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Asad Ullah et al. Does human resources development contribute to community development 148

The study proceeds with the following objectives:

i. To study the demographic profile of the respondents in the study area.

ii. To asses the level of adoption in light of various trainings.

iii. To make suggestions on the basis of the study findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The universe of the study was Tehsil Matta, District Swat Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. Two villages namelyKuz and Bar Lalku were purposively selected as training with respect to natural resource management on

community basis level was imparted by Forest Department. Almost seventy two (72) different trainings were given

with major focus on resource management pertaining to agriculture. A Sample size of fifty three (53) respondents

was randomly selected by taking into consideration their representation from tenure status with certain level ofeducation. A sample size not less than 50 and upto 500 is considered the most appropriate for extracting the

information regarding the study at hand (Uma, 2003).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The main findings of the study are presented in tables. Each table is briefly explained in the text. Table I

shows that 36% respondents represented age group of (31-40) followed by 28% representation from age group of

(41-50), 25 % from age group (20-30) and 11% from age group 51 and above. The data indicate that the younger agegroup was higher in number i.e. 36% it could easily be conceived that if taken properly, these trainings may

contribute positively towards the better management of the resources as young are supposed to be more workingsegment of a society. Moreover, these trainings could easily be trickled down to the young dynamic lot of thesociety.

Table I Age group of the sampled respondents

Age Group

20-30 31-40 41-50 51 & Above Total

Land Holding

Classes

No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %

Land Less 2 29 2 29 2 29 1 14 7 100

Less Than 10 Kanal 4 33 3 25 4 33 1 8 12 100

10-20 Kanal 5 25 8 40 6 30 1 5 20 100

More Than 20 Kanal 2 14 6 43 3 21 3 21 14 100

Total 13 25 19 36 15 28 6 11 53 100

Table II shows that 91% respondents were literate out of which middle and high level of education wasrepresented by 32% of respondents each, followed by 15% respondents from inter level and 11% graduates. Only

9% of the respondents were illiterate. Majority of illiterate and lowly qualified people were landless and poor

farmers, while more educated respondents were rich farmers. As the mandate indicates the young were mostly theparticipants for these trainings, further elaboration of the data depict that it was a mix-up with reference to literacy.

Literate could easily understand and disseminate subsequently by ensuring maximum reliability to the success rate

of these trainings.

Table II Literacy levels of thesampled respondentsLiteracy Classes

Illiterate Middle High Inter graduate Total

Land Holding Classes

No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %

Land Less 3 43 2 29 2 29 0 0 0 0 7 100

Less Than 10 Kanal 1 8 6 50 4 33 1 8 0 0 12 10010-20 Kanal 1 5 6 30 7 35 4 20 2 10 20 100More Than 20 Kanal 0 0 3 21 4 29 3 21 4 29 14 100Total 5 9 17 32 17 32 8 15 6 11 53 100

Table III shows major livelihood source of the respondents. According to survey 53% respondents reportedfarming as their main occupation, followed by 21% who rear livestock, 11% were businessmen, 8% labour, 6%

depended on foreign remittances and 2% on forests as their main income source. It means that the major profession

was agriculture with its allied branches like livestock etc. the data further provide information that a negligible

number as labourer, might be working on forms with some persons belonging to the business as occupation. It could

be inferred that these businesses are also agriculture oriented.


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Table III Occupational distributions of sampled respondentsMain Occupation

Agriculture Business/Service

Forest/Rangeland

Livestock/Poultry

Labour Remittance Total


No % No % No % No % No % No % No %

Land Less 3 43 0 0 1 14 1 14 2 29 0 0 7 100Less Than 10 Kanal 6 50 2 17 0 0 2 17 2 17 0 0 12 100

10-20 Kanal 11 55 2 10 0 0 4 20 0 0 3 15 20 100More Than 20 Kanal 8 57 2 14 0 0 4 29 0 0 0 0 14 100Total 28 53 6 11 1 2 11 21 4 8 3 6 53 100

Table IV shows the tenure status of the respondents. According to survey a majority of 64% respondents

were land lords, followed by 23% having both owner ship of lands and tenancy in landlords property, and 13% land

less tenants. It indicates that people with possession of land are more inclined to receive such types of trainings. The

negligible representation from landless could be either due to their weak economic position or lack of awareness.

Table IV Tenure statuses of the sampled respondentsTenurial Status

Landless Tenant Owner Owner Cum Tenant Total

Land HoldingClasses

No % No % No % No %

Land Less 7 100 0 0 0 0 7 100

Less Than 10 Kanal 0 0 8 67 4 33 12 10010-20 Kanal 0 0 12 60 8 40 20 100More Than 20 Kanal 0 0 14 100 0 0 14 100Total 7 13 34 64 12 23 53 100

Table V shows that from their main occupation, 49% people had income in range of rupees (30000-40000),

23% in (20000 to 30000), 21% in (40000 to 50000) and 8% above 50000 per annum. If we compare the information

through cross section of society it becomes evident that mostly the land less people had the least annual income of

all and could be placed in the lower category. Though these trainings have significantly contributed to the overall

uplift, however, if special attention is focused on the lower category, may certainly add to the existing benefits of

these trainings. As has been identified by Anderson et.al (1998) that healthy and productive life can be achieved and

that challenges be overcome once priority action including investment more in poor people, accelerating agricultural

productivity with sound management of natural resources are taken into consideration.

Table V Income distributions of the sampled respondentsAnnual Income Limit from Main Occupation

10000-20000 20000-30000 30000-40000 40000-50000 More than50000

Total

Land HoldingClasses

No % No % No % No % No % No %Land Less 0 0 5 71 2 29 0 0 0 0 7 100Less Than 10 Kanal 0 0 6 50 6 50 0 0 0 0 12 100

10-20 Kanal 0 0 1 5 12 60 6 30 1 5 20 100More Than 20 Kanal 0 0 0 0 6 43 5 36 3 21 14 100Total 0 0 12 23 26 49 11 21 4 8 53 100

Table VI shows that a total of 49% respondents were trained in field of agriculture and horticulture, 31% in

field of livestock and poultry, while the rest 21% were trained in nursery rearing. Respondents of all tenure classes

had representation in all the training categories. This shows that all major components of agriculture profession

were incorporated. These findings are in matching to the study conducted by Datta et.al (1998) in India (Uttar

Pardesh) that community participation oriented approach leads to community development capabilities to sustainand increase natural resource production.

Table VI Types of training received by the sampled respondentsTraining

Nursery Agriculture/Horticulture Livestock/Poultry Total


No % No % No % No %

Land Less 1 13 4 50 3 38 8 100

Less Than 10 Kanal 1 7 10 71 3 21 14 100

10-20 Kanal 7 23 14 45 10 32 31 100

More Than 20 Kanal 6 32 7 37 6 32 19 100Total 15 21 35 49 22 31 72 100


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Table VII shows that 85% of the respondents had applied the training to various extents while the rest of

15% had not applied it at all. These figures are encouraging in showing the interest of respondents in application of

the training as being considered fruitful for the growth and development of agriculture and resource management.

Anderson et.al (1998) by presenting a case study of sustainable resource utilization stressed for the integrated

approach to development, involving program to develop natural resource programs for human resource development

and environment protection.

Table VII Training Applied by the Sampled Respondents

Training Applied

Yes No Total

Land Holding

Classes

No. % No. % No. %

Land Less 5 71 2 29 7 100Less Than 10 Kanal 9 75 3 25 12 10010-20 Kanal 18 90 2 10 20 100More Than 20 Kanal 13 93 1 7 14 100Total 45 85 8 15 53 100

Table VIII shows that use of improved variety of seeds & fertilizers increased considerably. In wheat,maize, off seasoned vegetables and fruit farming, adoption to improved variety of seeds was observed as 20%, 55%,

51% & 20% respectively. While use of modern fertilizers was observed as 14%, 11%, 51% and 11% of respondents

respectively. These improved seed were mostly purchased from agriculture department or its recognised dealers. It is

due to awareness regarding the fruitfulness of these improved variety seeds and timely use of fertilizers for more

output and production. These like findings are also reported by Nadeem (1999) the AKRSP intervention in Chitral

has considerably enhanced fruit production and other agricultural crops yield after the use of improved use of

agricultural techniques.

Table VIII Percent change in variety of agricultural crops grown and use of modern fertilizers% Change in variety of crops % Change in use of modern fertilizersParticulars of Crops

Local Improved Farmyard Manure Modern Fertilizer

Wheat -20 20 -14 14Maize -55 55 -11 11Off Season Vegetable -51 51 -51 51

Orchards -11 11 -11 11

Table IX shows that a considerable shift towards use of modern medicine was observed, for treatment of

agricultural crops diseases. In wheat, maize, off seasoned vegetables & Fruit farming, a shift towards modern

disease control techniques was observed in 19%, 25%, 41% & 29% of respondents respectively. It indicates a

healthy sign of adoption and may certainly repeat itself with the same magnitude in the dissemination process. AlsoImtiaz (2001) has reported impact of trainings by SRSC in Mansehra. He discovered that people with scientific lines

acquired thorough training as an awareness campaign; the awareness rate has resulted in increased productivity

through use of pesticides and insecticides.

TableIX Percent change in treatment of diseases in agricultural crops% ChangeParticulars of Crops

No Control Manual Modern Chemical New varieties

Wheat -6 -13 16 3Maize -15 -10 24 1Off Season Vegetable -31 -10 41 0Orchards -26 3 29 0

Table X shows that the major live stock reared in the area included Buffalo, Cow and Goat. For the

livestock, there was an overall increase of 36% in their size (number), 19% in improved quality of breed, 25% in

authentic source of purchase of good breed and 15% in milk production, which lead to greater monitory benefit to

the farmers. Knowledge received, is quickly implemented in the professions and may disseminate with the same

pace. Similarly Nadeem (1999) has shown the impact of AKRSP intervention in Chitral that diseases and mortalities

had considerably reduced in livestock with increase in its productivity.


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Table X Percent change in size, breed, supply agency and productivity of livestockLive stock category % change in size % change in breed % change in supply agency % change in milk

production

Buffalo 25 20 46 18Cow 73 27 26 11

Goat 10 11 4 15Total 36 19 25 15

Table XI shows that there was an overall shift of 35% towards use of modern medicine for livestock

disease control. The shift helped in curing livestock diseases; hence the mortality of livestock was reduced by 6%

per annum. It is also based on acquiring knowledge and skill imparted through these trainings.

Table XI Percent change in treatment of diseases and annual mortality in livestockLive stock category % change in treatment of diseases through moder

medicines% change in annual mortality

Buffalo 34 -5Cow 32 -6Goat 40 -8Total 35 -6

Table XII shows that 23% respondents changed their old occupation, out of these, 41% became commercial

vegetable growers, 18% dairy producers, 18% agriculture/livestock medicines, pesticides and fertilizer dealers, 12%fruit farmers and 12% nursery growers or plantation contractors. These trainings implications were emerging as

indicated by the data that old, less profitable professions were replaced by new, innovative and market oriented

occupations. Similar findings are indicated by Qaddafi, (2001) that provision of various inputs and new skills bring

dynamism with respect to profession, ultimately choosing those which are profitable.

Table XII Percent change in occupation of the sampled respondentsRespondents

Adopted New

occupation

Commercial

vegetable

Production

airy Production Medicine

Fertilizers

Fruit Farmer Nursery

Plantation


No % % % % %

Total

Land Less 1 0 100 0 0 0 100

Less Than 10 Kanal 5 40 20 20 0 20 100

10-20 Kanal 8 38 13 25 13 13 100

More Than 20 Kanal 3 67 0 0 33 0 100

Total 17 (23%) 41 18 18 12 12 100

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The study concludes that trainings given to the farmers of the study area has significantly contributed to the

change with respect to resource management and Human Resource Development. Peoples knowledge with respect

to agricultural management, livestock rearing and disease control on fruit and crops has markedly increased. Theapplication of this knowledge has resulted in enhancement of productivity and rise in income of the community.

Landowners are surfaced up as major beneficiary while the landless to follow. A new trend emerging that old and

less profitable professions are being replaced by new and marketable professions. These trainings have resulted in

enhancement of adoption rate with almost the same pace of dissemination. The study recorded that such like

trainings should be extended to other parts of the province. However it should be made more landless class oriented.

As landless and poor represent the majority in a community.

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Does Human Resources Development Contribute to Community Development in Rural NWFP