Effects of Sustainable Agricultural Practices on Income and Environmental Sustainability of Small Farm Households in Rural Pakistan

Sustainable agriculture practices have significant impact on environment and has adverse relationship with income inequality but there are diverse social and technological problems faced by farmers in developing countries. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of sustainable agriculture practices (SAPs) on rural farm households (HHs) in the district of Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Multiple regression and logistic regression models were used to analyze the data, which was collected from 246 samples of HHs selected through proportional allocation sampling. The findings of the study showed that HHs engaged in sustainable agriculture practices had a significant positive impact on their livelihoods. The age and education of the respondents were found to have a significant effect on improving the farm income level of the HHs, while farmers with less experience were found to have a negative impact on income. The study also highlighted the significance of three dimensions for sustainable agriculture practices: crop rotation, water management, and environmental sustainability, which were found to have a significant effect on the income level of households. The results of the binary logistic regression model revealed the relationship between environmental sustainability and the age of the HHs. It was found that environmental sustainability had a significant effect on the age of the HHs, coupled with both farm and off-farm incomes, which were also found to have a significant impact on environmental sustainability. Based on the findings, the study suggests initiatives to enhance the education and awareness level of small farm HHs in rural areas about the SAPs and their long-term advantages. This, in turn, will improve their productivity and contribute to SAPs as well as the HHs’ long-term well-being.