Assessment of agriculture sector using SWOT analysis: A case study of Mirpur Khas, Sindh.

Abstract

Agriculture plays a major role in the development of any area but limited in Mirpur Khas because of various factors as water scanty, lack of modern technology, deterioration of land, etc. Therefore, the focus of this is to analyze the Mirpur Khas agricultural sector through SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats). The agricultural sector contributes 18.5% of Pakistan's GDP and provides 38.5% of the national workforce with jobs. A detailed study conducted through questionnaires and interviews with the local farmers of Mirpur Khas. A parallel mixed method was used to collect the data from the farmers, and collected field data were analyzed using simple frequency distribution analysis in SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software. The results of the study reveal that the agriculture sector of Mirpur Khas is being neglected by the concerned authorities to facilitate the sector to increase the revenue of the local area and the also increase the production of the various crops as well fruit orchids. Moreover, the farmers of the district are facing problems related to the shortage of water, high price of inputs, and availing the facilities of basic utilities and services etc. However, study findings may help concerned authorities and farmers to strength the agriculture sector by providing basic facilities and resolving the issues i.e., shortage of water, high price of inputs, and low price of crop production etc. Furthermore, the agriculture sector can be developed in larger quantities by increasing the export of the agricultural product.