Assessing the role of wheat production in improving rural livelihood and social well-being in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The study was aimed to assess the role of wheat production on the socio-economic and cultural events of rural masses and to evaluate its effect on health, education and livelihood of wheat growers in tehsil Shujaabad, Punjab, Pakistan. A survey was conducted among wheat growers (n = 250) using a multistage sampling technique. The findings showed that all respondents (100%) were growing wheat, while 28% reported that wheat production met their economic needs to a great extent, 45.2% to some extent, and 26.8% not at all. Wheat production reduced food insecurity to a great extent for 53.6% of respondents, was helpful for household income for 52.8%, and improved the social status of the family for 54.4%. Regarding sources of agricultural information, 64.8% of respondents sometimes and 29.6% often relied on fellow farmers, while 66.4% never used television and 13.2% often used it as a source of information. Wheat production had a considerable effect on livelihood, particularly well-furnished houses (mean = 2.69±0.69) and constructed toilets (mean = 2.62±0.74), while its contribution to children's education was also reported (mean = 2.02±0.77). Furthermore, 39.6% of farmers always arranged marriage ceremonies due to good wheat production, while 53.6% always invited relatives and friends to family functions. Only 10% of respondents owned a car, whereas 90% did not. Wheat production was significantly associated with sources of information (χ² = 12.77, p = .012), adoption of wheat sowing recommendations (χ² = 81.29, p = .000), and socio-economic development (χ² = 19.84, p = .001). It is concluded that wheat production makes an important contribution to the socio-economic and cultural well-being of rural households and is positively associated with socio-economic development. It is recommended that agricultural extension services should strengthen farmers' access to reliable information, promote recommended wheat production technologies, and enhance farmers' capacity to improve the socio-economic benefits derived from wheat production. © 2026 The Author(s)