Abstract: Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy in terms of providing food and employment and foreign exchange earnings. It contributes 21.9 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP). The importance of sustainable agriculture practices for the farmers to a large extent depends upon the effective sources of information. It is believed that farmers do not often make visit to the research stations, however, they obtained required knowledge from different sources like mass media, fertilizer agency, fellow farmers, radio, television, extension personnel and contact farmers. It is imperative to communicate sustainable agriculture practices to the farmers through various sources of information. This study used a descriptive research methodology the universe of study consisted of six districts of Sindh province comprising Larkana, Naushehro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas and Badin. A sample of 180 farmers was randomly selected for the study. A well structured interview schedule was used to collect information from the small farmers on their personal and socio-economic characteristics and sources of information. The study found that about 36.11% of the respondents were youth having age group (26-35 years), while 66.67% of the respondents were married, however a large percentage (44.44%) maintained a range of small farmers having land 13-25 acres of land and 66.67% of the respondents having their primary education. In addition 66.67% of the respondents having farming experience between 6 to 10 years. The results of the study showed that the most frequently used sources of information about Sustainable Agriculture were Television Broadcast, Neighboring Farmer, Fertilizer and Herbicide Dealer and Seed Dealer, while slightly over half the farmers reported using information about Sustainable Agriculture from Public Extension Agent, Private Extension Agent, Research Workers, Farm Magazine and Publications, Local Newspapers, Relatives and Extension Materials. On the basis of the results and conclusion drawn from the study it is recommended that Government should establish farmers radio and television station for dissemination of the agricultural programs for sustainable agriculture in Sindh province. Sustainable agriculture programs should be broadcast through television and radio programs. Neighbor farmers and fertilizer herbicide dealers should be educated for sustainable agriculture practices.

Keywords: Sustainable Agriculture, Sources of Information, Farmers.

Abstract: Farmers' decisions to adopt a new agricultural technology depend on complex factors. One of the factors is farmers' perception.Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MINFA) launched an integrated development programme entitled “Crop Maximization Project (CMP)” in 15 districts of the country. A successful extension teaching method can play a vital role to transfer the technology to the farming community. The role of the extension agent cannot be ignored for dissemination of information at field level. This study was conducted six districts of Sindh province comprising Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushahro Feroze, Khairpur and Larkana. Five villages were selected from the each district through multistage sampling techniques. Ten famers were selected from each village. Thus making a sample of 300 farmers was randomly selected for the study. A well structured interview schedule was used to collect information from the small farmers on their personal and socio-economic characteristics and effectiveness of extension teaching method at farm level. Statistical techniques like mean scores and percentages were used to analyze the data. The findings of the study showed that majority 35% of the small farmers were youth having age group (26-35 years). About 57% of the respondents were married; majority (40%) maintained a range of small farmers having land 6-12 acres. 45% of the respondents having their primary education. Almost 47% of the respondents were experienced between 6 to 10 years. The result of the study showed that land management practices and selection and sowing of certified seed at proper time ranked highest in the order of acquiring knowledge. The majority 80% farmers perceived farmers field school, while 70% farmers were identified result demonstration, 68% farmers through method demonstration as the extension teaching method used by extension personnel. It is recommended that farmers should be trained through farmer’s field school for the adoption of the technology at field level. Crop maximization project should be extended to other districts of Sindh province and knowledge of the farmers should be enhanced through extension teaching methods for crop productivity enhancement and better livelihood for the farming community. .

Keywords: Extension Teaching Method, Crop Maximization, Small Farmers, Adoption.