Study on Environmental Impact Risk Assessment of Punjab Tunnel Construction

Vegetables have a great importance in agriculture sector. These crops share a great contribution to agriculture in national economy. There are many vegetables which can be grown in Pakistani climate and soil. Tunnel farming is a new technology for growing vegetables due to increase in population and small land for agricultural use. Government of Punjab is doing its effort to disseminate this technology among the farmers to enhance their vegetable production. Fruit and Vegetable Development Project (F&VDP) was also started by the Punjab government in 20 districts of the Punjab. The study was done in Faisalabad district of Punjab, Pakistan. In Faisalabad, there were 12 Farmer Field Schools (FFSs) under F&VDP, out of which six FFSs were randomly selected for the collection of data through interview schedule. From each selected FFS, 20 respondents were selected randomly making sample of 120 respondents. The data were analyzed through the computer software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Based on the findings of the present study, it was assessed that respondents got benefits from the project in term of increase in their income and their area under vegetable cultivation also increases. Similarly, farmers knowledge about plants growth also enhanced, quality of produce increased. It is suggested that the time period of the project should be extended and there should be facility of small credit schemes for poor farmers to ensure the timely availability of quality seeds, pesticides and fertilizers. It is proven that project has enhanced livelihood assets to sustain the family lives of farming community.