Role of Education in Enhancing Sugarcane Yield in Mardan and Charsadda Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Sugarcane is important cash crop in Pakistan, however, its yield per hectare remains low. The present research aims at evaluating the role of education in enhancing sugarcane yield. Two districts namely Mardan and Charsadda of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province were selected for this purpose. A multi-stage sampling method was used to draw sample of 336 sugarcane growers for the present study and an interview schedule was used to solicit responses that addressed the research objectives. The findings from the study showed that 80 percent of respondents were illiterate while the 20 percent of respondents who were literate had achieved various levels of education. In the years 2012 and 2013, the average yield of educated sugarcane growers was 76 t/ha while illiterate sugarcane growers was 64 t/ha. It is recommended that sugarcane growers should be educated through Farmer Field School and other extension programs and extension agents should motivate and train the growers to cultivate sugarcane using scientific techniques, paying special attention to those who are illiterate, to the point of developing special extension tools for those who cannot read.