Factors influencing use of information and communication technologies among farmers in rural Punjab, Pakistan

| Current study was aimed to formulate a nutritious snack bar by incorporating date pit powder (by product) and soy protein isolate in date paste. Date bars were formulated after ingredients optimization and were analyzed for physico-chemical, in-vitro starch and protein digestibility, antioxidants and microbial count. Results showed that date bars are rich source of protein, fiber, carbohydrates and fat with good digestibility properties. Date pit powder and soy protein isolate incorporation enhanced the total antioxidants and DPPH activity in soy date bars however, decreasing trend was observed in total antioxidants and inhibition of DPPH radical activity during 90 days of storage. Based on the results, it has been suggested that date bars may be considered as a source to meet the energy requirements of health-conscious consumers. Moreover, date pit powder and soy protein isolate can be used as nutraceutical in different functional foods as a valuable nourishment source for target population.

| Strategies adopted by a household to deal with natural, economic, and social shocks depend upon available resources and capabilities. Families belonging to different vicinities and socio-economic groups have different earning and utilising earnings to fulfil their basic needs. Households need various interventions for well-being. While keeping in view the situation, this study planned to deepen insight into rural households’ food consumption system. Food consumption score and household food insecurity access score index were used for precise estimation of food consumption behaviour and food security level weekly and monthly. Food Consumption Score indicated that households are less food insecure weekly; not a single-family consumes less than required food. But when we analyze rural households’ consumption behaviour, up to 50 per cent of the population is on the borderline of food security. Little shock can lead them to food insecurity. Results show that an increase or decrease in income or fluctuation in an economy severely affects food consumption, even at the grass-root level. For upgrading the livelihood patterns and food security situation, a stable economy is an essential factor. Policymakers should modify food security plans according to the ever-changing needs of the population. The national poverty and food insecurity management departments of developing countries should be improved so that vulnerability to food security and food loss can be predicted more accurately.

| In Pakistan, rapid urban expansion is changing the landscape at rural-urban interface through agricultural land conversion into urban infrastructures. The present study compares the patterns of land use changes and the resulting livelihood transformation of farmers at urban fringes in two contrasting cities of Punjab province of Pakistan. A mixed method approach was employed for data collection and at first, a longitudinal analysis of Landsat imagery of land use was done through GIS and Remote Sensing for a time period of 2001-2016. The results of GIS analysis revealed that during the period 2001 to 2016, Faisalabad showed 24% increase in urban area and 23 % of this expansion consumed agricultural land. In Sahiwal, urban land has increased by 21 %, which encroached 13 % of agricultural land and 8 % bare land. Qualitative and quantitative data show that most of the farmers (82.4 % in Faisalabad & 78.5 % in Sahiwal) have relocated toward more intensive farming from traditional extensive agriculture in response to declining agricultural land and, the 65.2 % (Faisalabad) and 71.8 % (Sahiwal) of respondents rely on farming plus non-farming activities as alternate livelihood strategies. The results of independent T-test reveals that the human and social assets index show an improved livelihood in Faisalabad. However, Sahiwal has a better Physical assets index (p=.008), natural assets index (p=.000) and Financial assets index (p=.000) as compared to Faisalabad. The overall livelihood index shows an improvement in the livelihood assets indicator in Sahiwal as compared to Faisalabad. The research findings will be helpful to understand the ways in which people construct their livelihoods in the milieu of agricultural land use changes at urban fringes which is crucial for formulating the strategies for the well-being of the farming households.

| The study was conducted to estimate the macroeconomic determinants of Mandarin (Kinnow) export from Pakistan. In this study, the dynamic panel data of 29 importing countries for the period of 2005 to 2018 was estimated by GMM (Generalized Method of Moment) model. The variables of total exports of Kinnow, domestic prices, population of importing countries, domestic exchange rate, exchange rate of importing countries, domestic production, and distance between trading partners were used to estimate the model. Data were collected from the international trade center, Federal Bureau of Statistics; Islamabad, Pakistan Economic Survey, and International Financial Statistics. Domestic prices of Kinnow were obtained from Pakistan Statistical Yearbook. Exchange rate data was taken from the State Bank of Pakistan. The results of system GMM (Generalized Method of Moment) shows that domestic prices, domestic exchange rate, distance were significant and negatively influenced on both equations; while, the population and exchange rate of importing countries, and domestic production has a positive and significant effect. It is suggested that Pakistan should concentrate more on economies with a large population as a Kinnow commodity importing nation. Stable exchange rates include the involvement of strong government pricing policies to make Mandarin more competitive on world markets. The issue of Pakistan’s low export-to-production ratio needs to be addressed. It is proposed that Pakistan seek to improve the environment of exports with countries close to Pakistan and its neighbors. Policymakers should address the problems of Kinnow export and formulate policies.

| Agricultural information sources play a pragmatic role in knowledge building among the farming community. Farmers use various traditional and modern information sources such as extension field staff, fellow farmers, private sector, electronic media, print media, and information communication technologies (ICTs) gadgets to get the latest information necessary for agricultural productivity. This study aimed to explore the patterns of farmers to access and receive information from different sources. A well-structured and expert reviewed interview schedule was used to collect data from farmers from Huailai county. A total of 122 interviews were conducted for the collection of data. Data were recorded using EpiData software program and a logistic regression model was applied using the computer-based statistical program “STATA”. The findings indicate that media (electronic media and print media) was the key information source for the farmers and 40.16% of farmers accessed media particularly for agricultural information whereas 34.43% used agricultural extension field staff (government) to acquire agricultural information. The government of China should start some educational interventions for farmers to improve their educational level so that the farming community could utilize multiple information sources for crop productivity.