




































African Journal of Agricultural Marketing Vol. 2 (3), pp. 116-119, March, 2014. Available online at 
www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals 
 
 
 
 
 

Full Length Research Paper 
 

A study of specialist proficiencies of farm officers to 

deal with challenge of weeds in North West Frontier 

Province-Pakistan 
 

Sallah Dongo
1
, kate Hassan

2
 and Duarte Ibid

3
 

 
1
Post Doctoral Fellow Regional and Rural Development Planning School of Environment Resources and Development, 

Asian Institute of Technology P. O. Box 4, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120 Thailand.  
2 Associate Professor, Regional and Rural Development Planning, School of Environment, Resources and 

Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O.Box 4, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120 Thailand. 
 

 
3
Post Doctoral Fellow, Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology, School of Environment, Resources and 

Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O.Box 4, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120 Thailand. 
 

Accepted January 23, 2014 
 

Professionally competent Agriculture Officers (AOs) play an important role in increasing the agriculture 
production through communicating new findings about the damage caused by weed. It has been tried to 
find the professional competency of AOs to cope with the weed problem in North West Frontier Province 
(NWFP), Pakistan. This study was initiated during in January, 2007 where 112 questionnaires were 
distributed among the AOs across all 24 districts of NWFP. One hundred and eleven AOs returned the 
questionnaires and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. The analysis revealed that all the 
officers had basic understanding of weed science. However; 7% of AOs had the required knowledge 
related to weeds. Majority of the respondents were not in a position to point out the weeds of major and 
minor crops. Same was the case regarding lack of farmers’ guidance in herbicide application. About 
95% respondents rated weed science related knowledge from important to very important. The present 
findings recommends that the AOs are supposed to be trained in weed related problems, so that they 
can cope with the weed management problem of the farming community, for the increase of the quality 
and quantity of agricultural commodities and to raise the socio-economic status of rural people. 

 
Key words: Agriculture Officers, weeds, professional competency. 

 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
A predominant sector of Pakistan’s economy is 
agriculture. The contribution of agriculture is about 21% 
to GDP and provides employment to 44% of the civilian 
labor force (GOP, 2008). Agriculture is not the only 
source of foreign exchange earnings through exports of 
cotton, cotton products and rice, but it also provides raw 
materials to industries and consumes products of several 
 
 
 

 
*Corresponding author. E-Mail: sallah_d@yahoo.com. 

 
 
 

 
industries as inputs. Provincial Agricultural Extension for 
improving agricultural practices to increase agricultural 
productivity. So failing  to achieve self- Department is 
responsible for transferring  of agricultural technology 
and providing technical  guidance to  farmers sufficiency 
in major agricultural products has always been attributed 
to inefficiency of our agriculture extension services. 
(Pervaiz, 2001; Khan, 2000; Shafi, 1995; Nawab and 
Lawrence, 1994; Idrees, 1994; Ahmad, 1993; Iqbal, 1990; 
Hussain, 1983; Hayat, 1982; Naz, 1987; Jalvi, 1981; 
Muhammad, 1981). Despite an increase in yield low 
productivity of Pakistan’s agriculture is one of the major 



Sallah  et al.             116 
 
 

 
areas of concerns for our planners, policy makers and 
research workers. Presently there is big difference 
between the actual and the potential yields of major 
crops.  

Reports have shown some yield gaps of 72% for wheat, 
83% for rice, 88% for maize, 78% for sugarcane and 72% 
for cotton, vis-à-vis to their potential yields under 
experimental conditions. Wheat productivity is 44% of 
Mexico’s rice, 43% of Egypt’s maize, 33% of Turkey’s, 
cotton 75% of Mexico’s a nd Sugarcane 66% of India 
(Goverment of Pakistan, 1991). These differences 
between the potential and the actual yields is attributed to 
farmers’ lack of awareness about the application of 
scientific research and new knowledge to agricultural 
practices.  

According to several studies extension specialists are 
one of the primary sources of information for county 
extension agents (Radhakrishna and Thompson, 1996; 
Shih and Evans, 1991). According to Gibson and Hillison 
(1994), Baker and Vallalobos, (1997) suggestion; 
effective specialists should clearly understand the 
extension education process.  

In addition, they must understand the human 
development, learning and social interaction processes 
and they must become knowledgeable about the 
organization within which they work. Weeds are a serious 
problem in all agricultural lands throughout NWFP 
especially in irrigated belts. It decrease crop yield in a 
variety of ways. According to estimated data weeds 
cause Rs. 100 billion per annum in NWFP (Anonymous, 
2007).  

According to Khan et al. (2006) weeds compete with the 
major crops for water, nutrients, space and light, thus 
reduce the crop yield. These weeds can be controlled 
through educating the farmers by agriculture officers who 
are competent and trained in weeds. As majority of the 
farmers in Pakistan and especially in NWFP are illiterate 
and have no access to newspapers, research articles and 
other agriculture related magazines and therefore, they 
are totally dependent on the agricultural extension 
agents. Keeping in view the importance of weeds, this 
study was conducted to judge the possessed and 
required levels of professional competencies of 
agricultural extension agents in  
NWFP. 
 
 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
 
All Agriculture Officers (AOs) of Agricultural Extension Department 
were the pool of information of this study. Number of AOs in various 
administrative districts widely varies across the province (NWFP) 
ranging from one to eleven depending upon intensity of agricultural 
activities.  

District D. I. Khan has the highest number of AOs (11) while 

district Shangla and Kohistan have the lowest number (1). 

 
 
 

 
Data source 
 
The study was based on both primary and secondary data. Primary 
data were obtained through a carefully prepared and pre-tested 
questionnaire. Secondary data were obtained through published 

sources. The questionnaire along with instructions/expl- anatory 
sheet was mailed to all AOs through the Director General Agricul 
tural Extension office (N.W.F.P.), who is the overall in change of 
provincial agricultural extension service.  

The questionnaire comprised of various questions. However, in 
the present article only weeds related competencies of AOs were 
included. Two main categories were used as level possessed and 
required level and there were five choices of each category. The 

choices in each category were; VL = Very low, L = Low, M = 
Medium, H = High and VH = Very High. The respondents placed 
one check-mark each in possessed and required levels to capture 

the level and intensity of competencies. 
 
 
Sampling procedure and sample size 
 
As per information provided by the office of the Director General 
Agricultural Extension, NWFP, total number of Agricultural Officers 
(AOs) in the NWFP is 112, posted in 24 administrative districts 
across the province. The selected competencies areas were 
identified based on the job description of AOs. This approach has 
been followed by several authors in the past (see for example, Ali 
(1991), Randavary and Vaughn (1991), Najjingo and McCasline 
(1991), Easter (1985)). The data were analyzed statistically using 
computer software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 

and the percentages of the respondents were calculated. 
 
 
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 
 
Competency of Agriculture Officers in identification 

of weeds of major field crops 
 
The number of respondents (Figure 1) showed that 
majority of the extension agents know the basic concepts 
about the weeds and reported that they recognize the 
weed species and the specific related problems (compete 
for nutrients, etc.). Thus, they possess the basic 
knowledge however, due to changing scenarios of weeds 
related problems, these agricultural professionals need to 
be properly trained. Regarding the required level of 
competency of agricultural extension agents rated the 
weed science activity as a vital component for extension 
agents (Figure 1) . They reported that they know about 
the weeds of wheat, maize, rice and sugarcane. 
 

However, the weed flora of different geographical areas 
is different from one another and their assignment to 
another zone results in problems in identifying the new 
weed species. Two and seven of the respondents rated 
their competency as very low and low respectively, while 
37, 46 and 19 respondents rated their self perceived 
competency in identification of weeds of major crops as 
medium, high and very high respectively (Figure 1). Sixty- 



117      Afr. J. Agric. Mark. 
 

 

 80       
69   

70 Possessed Level 
  

 

    
 

o
f 

R
e

s
p

o
n

d
a

n
ts
 60 Required Level  

46 
 

 

50     

37 

 
 

    

35 
 

 

40      
 

30       
19 

 

N
u

m
b

e
r 20 

      
 

  

7 

 

4 

  
 

10 2 2 1   
 

 0 
Very Low Low Medium High Very High 

 

  
  

Priority Level 
 

Figure 1. Competency of AOs in identification of weeds of major field crops. 
 
 

 80       
67 

 

R
e
s

p
o

n
d

a
n

ts
 

70  
Possessed Level 

  
 

  

55 

 
 

60  Required Level    
 

50      
38 

 
 

40 
    

31 
 

 

      
 

30 
      

 

       
 

o
f       

15 
 

20 
      

 

N
u

m
b

e
r   

9 

   
 

10 1 1 2  3  
 

0  
1 2 

 
3 4 5 

 

    
  

Priority Level 
 

Figure 2. Competency of Agriculture Officers in identification of weeds of minor field 

crops. 
 
 
nine respondents reported that the required competency 
in identification of major crops as very high and 35 
respondents rated required competency as high. Two and 
one respondents respectively showed that the required 
level of competency in identification of weeds of major 
crops as very low and low. 

Extension education has been employed in agriculture 
with particular emphasis on its role as an instrument for 
promoting change among the farming community for 
securing and providing information base for planners and 
policy makers in order to make accurate decisions.  

Extension is a non-formal education, which provides 
advisory services using the educational process to help 
clients in acquiring knowledge and skills to cope 
effectively with needs and problems they face in their own 
socio-economic contexts (Boone, 1989; Carter, 1993; 
Rahim, 1995; Swanson et al., 1998). All the AOs consider 
the weed identification as an important factor for 
satisfying the farmers’ needs. As weeds related problems 

 
 
have been increased due to changing cropping systems 
and excessive use of fertilizer and irrigation, extension 
agents should be trained in weed identification which is a 
prerequisite for successful weed management program. 
 
 
Competency of AOs in identification of weeds of 

minor field crops 
 
Very few AOs possess the knowledge to identify of 
weeds of minor crops. Majority (55) of the AOs possess 
higher competency level in identification of minor crops. 
Fifteen respondents possessed very high level of 
competency in identification of weeds of minor crops. 
Majority of the respondents (67) reported that AOs should 
possess very high competency in identification of weeds 
of minor crops. Over 95% of the AOs reported that the 
required level of competency in identification of weeds 
should be high and very high as shown in Figure 2. 



Sallah  et al.             118 
 
 
 

 90      

74 
 

R
e

s
p

o
n

d
a

n
ts

 

80  
Possessed Level 

  
 

70 
    

 

 
Required Level    

 

60 
    

 

    

45 
 

 

50    
37 

 
 

40 
   

30 
 

 

     
 

o
f 30      

18  

N
u

m
b

e
r 20 

  

9 
  

 

  

5 

  
 

10 2 2 
  

 

0   
 

0 
Very Low Low Medium High Very High  

  
  

Priority Level 
 

Figure 3. Competency of AOs in guidance of farmers in use of herbicides against weeds. 
 
 

These results show that the extension agents of NWFP 
are not properly trained in the weed related problems. 
Based on the result of this study it can be concluded that 
the subject of weed science so that the AOs can 
effectively communicate with the farming community. As 
the changes in composition of weed communities occur 
overtime, identification of weed is further complicated. 
Frequent trainings are expected to solve this problem. 
According to Alonge and Martin (1995), the first step 
toward adoption of new ideas by farmers is to provide 
information on sustainable practices. What has emerged, 
however, is bipolar evidence from proponents among 
extension agents on this subject. Agencies and 
institutions engaged in information dissemination and 
educational activities often have high responsibilities 
regarding these topics, yet still have a high need for 
information and education themselves, responsibilities 
whom themselves have information and education needs 
(Rollins and Golden, 1994)).  

Fast changes in society, technological developments, 
complex roles and responsibilities of professionals 
require continuing education, continuous learning, in-
service training and in most cases, graduate education 
(Merriam and Caffarella, 1991; Darkenwald and Marriam, 
1982) emphasized the importance of staff development to 
stimulate intellect, to increase knowledge, to keep 
abreast with new advances and developments and for 
organizational effectiveness. 

 
 
issues. The data in Figure 3 shows that 45 respondents 
possessed high competency in guiding farmers about 
correct use of herbicides while 18 respondents 
possessed very high competency in instructing farmers 
about the use of herbicides. Only 11 respondents 
possessed low to very low knowledge about herbicides 
use. Majority of the respondents (104) reported that 
extension agents should possess high to very high level 
of competency in guiding farmers about herbicides use. 
This difference may be due to the fact that few extension 
agents are working in arid zones and the crops are totally 
dependent on rainfall. Therefore, weeds are not a big 
problem in those regions; weeds rather become a big 
problem in irrigated and fertile zones. Agunga (1995) 
noted that extension agents need to be trained in 
sustainable agriculture in order to develop their 
understanding, competence and ability to teach and 
communicate the concepts to farmers and others. As 
farmers are the end users of weed management 
campaigns, Agricultural Extension Agents should be 
trained and motivated to transfer the knowledge to the 
end users. Proper weed identification and selection of 
appropriate weed control method can result in higher crop 
yield and economic returns, which will ultimately 
contribute to the farmers economical improvements. 
Agriculture officers must be competent in a wide range of 
agricultural concepts which helps to raise income of the 
farming community. 

 
 
Competency of AOs in Guidance of farmers in use of 

herbicides against weeds 
 
Farmers’ guidance is the ultimate goal of agricultural 

extension agents. However, without proper training 
extension agents cannot address the weed related 

 
 
Conclusion 
 
It is concluded from the study that AOs should possess 
high to very high level of competencies in identification of 
weeds of major and minor field crops as well as use of 
herbicides to control weeds in field crops. The AOs of 



119      Afr. J. Agric. Mark. 
 
 
NWFP extension department at present possess medium 
to high level of competency in identification of weeds and 
use of herbicides. Thus, they need further training to 
enhance their competencies related to weeds problem. 
 
 
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