Adoption Dynamics and Productivity Outcomes of an Integrated Wheat Support Package among Smallholder Farmers

Abstract

This study evaluated adoption and productivity outcomes of a Wadaan-17 support package among 125 farmers in District Khyber, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during the 2024-25 wheat season. Participants received certified Wadaan-17 seed, fertilizer inputs, technical orientation, field demonstrations, and follow-up support. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize farmer characteristics and adoption indicators, a paired-samples t-test compared grain yield before and after the intervention, and multivariable linear regression assessed factors associated with grain yield. Improved land preparation showed the highest adoption (94.4%) followed by certified wheat seed (86%),  improved irrigation practices (84.0%), line sowing (83.2%), and balanced fertilizer application (76.8%). Adoption was lower for improved seed storage (65.6%) and pest and disease management (57.6%). Mean grain yield increased from approximately 625 to 740 kg acre⁻¹, an increase of about 18%, and the paired comparison was significant (t(124) = -11.54, p < 0.001). However, as the study employed a before-and-after design without a same-season control group, the observed yield improvement should be interpreted as a before-and-after difference rather than a causal effect of the intervention. In the regression model, certified-seed adoption and improved-practice adoption had the largest positive coefficients among the reported modifiable predictors. The findings indicate strong uptake of several recommended practices and higher post-intervention yield, while also identifying seed storage and crop protection as areas requiring greater attention. Because certified seed, fertilizer and extension support were delivered together in a program design, the yield improvement should be interpreted as associated with the integrated intervention rather than certified wheat seed of Wadaan-17 alone.