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From Ashes to Access: A Dual-Framework Formative Evaluation of the Super Seeder Subsidy in Faisalabad, Pakistan

Shah, Fatima Ali LU (2025) SIMZ31 20251
Graduate School
Abstract
During the winter smog season, Punjab experiences some of the world’s most hazardous air quality levels, largely driven by the open-field burning of agricultural residue. In response, the provincial government introduced a 60 percent subsidy for Super Seeders — tractor-mounted implements that mulch crop residue in-field, eliminating the need for burning. This thesis presents a formative, farmer-centered evaluation of the subsidy’s first season in Faisalabad based on semi-structured interviews with three farmer groups: those who never applied for the subsidy, those who applied but did not receive the implement, and those who applied and received one. Using an integrated conceptual model that combines Rogers’s Diffusion of Innovations... (More)
During the winter smog season, Punjab experiences some of the world’s most hazardous air quality levels, largely driven by the open-field burning of agricultural residue. In response, the provincial government introduced a 60 percent subsidy for Super Seeders — tractor-mounted implements that mulch crop residue in-field, eliminating the need for burning. This thesis presents a formative, farmer-centered evaluation of the subsidy’s first season in Faisalabad based on semi-structured interviews with three farmer groups: those who never applied for the subsidy, those who applied but did not receive the implement, and those who applied and received one. Using an integrated conceptual model that combines Rogers’s Diffusion of Innovations framework with Penchansky and Thomas’s Access dimensions, the study explores how and why some farmers transition from awareness to use while others do not. Findings reveal that barriers arose when the program was poorly communicated, perceived as unaffordable, or procedurally unclear, leading many farmers to disengage before or during the application process. Further difficulties emerged after delivery, including delays, lack of training, and hidden costs. Enablers appeared only once the implement was used, as farmers reported savings, cleaner fields, and strong peer interest. These insights demonstrate that predictable, locally grounded, and well-supported delivery mechanisms are critical for increasing adoption. (Less)
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author
Shah, Fatima Ali LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMZ31 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Agricultural Subsidy, Crop residue burning, Punjab, Smog mitigation, Super Seeder
language
English
id
9200540
date added to LUP
2025-06-25 13:44:16
date last changed
2025-06-25 13:44:16
@misc{9200540,
  abstract     = {{During the winter smog season, Punjab experiences some of the world’s most hazardous air quality levels, largely driven by the open-field burning of agricultural residue. In response, the provincial government introduced a 60 percent subsidy for Super Seeders — tractor-mounted implements that mulch crop residue in-field, eliminating the need for burning. This thesis presents a formative, farmer-centered evaluation of the subsidy’s first season in Faisalabad based on semi-structured interviews with three farmer groups: those who never applied for the subsidy, those who applied but did not receive the implement, and those who applied and received one. Using an integrated conceptual model that combines Rogers’s Diffusion of Innovations framework with Penchansky and Thomas’s Access dimensions, the study explores how and why some farmers transition from awareness to use while others do not. Findings reveal that barriers arose when the program was poorly communicated, perceived as unaffordable, or procedurally unclear, leading many farmers to disengage before or during the application process. Further difficulties emerged after delivery, including delays, lack of training, and hidden costs. Enablers appeared only once the implement was used, as farmers reported savings, cleaner fields, and strong peer interest. These insights demonstrate that predictable, locally grounded, and well-supported delivery mechanisms are critical for increasing adoption.}},
  author       = {{Shah, Fatima Ali}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{From Ashes to Access: A Dual-Framework Formative Evaluation of the Super Seeder Subsidy in Faisalabad, Pakistan}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}