https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwibz5Oa--bYAhUC-qQKHdR9Bc0QFggqMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fapply.jar.punjab.gov.pk%2Fupload%2F1414328751_114_14._4279__Composed___Repaired_.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2xeD0_CUVyCgLaZWhhaYry
Date palm (Phoenix
dactylifera L.) is one of the most important fruit trees in arid and
semi-arid regions. It is considered as an important natural source of capital
for rural livelihoods. Poor people generally depend upon a single staple food
crop which often lacks some essential amino acids, vitamins
and minerals. The date palm fruits provide unique functional and nutritional
values. This fruit contains high percentage of carbohydrate, dietary fibre,
antioxidants, minerals, contain all essential amino acids and variety of
B-complex vitamins and vitamin A.
Date palm is of great
socio-economic concern as it also provides a wide range of products and
services to local people. In remote areas, byproducts of date palm are used extensively
for both household and commercial purposes which provide substantial returns to
rural people.
Modern
technological improvements increase the possibility of industrial usages of
date palm such as paper making the insulating material and particle board.
Further this tree has a great cultural and traditional importance in many date
producing countries and with the increase of population in these countries, the
demand of dates is expected to increase in future. Pakistan holds significant
position in date production. During the year 2007-08, Pakistan exported 88,451
tons of dried dates and 4,687 tons of fresh dates and earned $36.033 million.
Pakistan, on an average, exports 10 percent of total dates production and 90
percent is either consumed locally or wasted.
Ata et al. (11) reported
that unawareness about date palm production technology is the main factor in
reducing yield and ultimately profit for date growers. The majority of date
palm trees found in rural areas of South Punjab are in scattered pattern and
most of them are propagated through seed having great genetic diversity. The
status of living standards, poverty, and social indicators are worst in South
Punjab as compared to other regions of Punjab. A research gap exists regarding
the role of date palm in sustainable
livelihoods
of farmers living in marginal areas of developing country. The present study
was conducted to generate information role of date palm in improving
livelihoods of farmers in South Punjab, Pakistan.
Natural resources provide a substantial income for many rural household without which the ability of many households to satisfy their basic necessities of life would be threaten. Close links exist between natural resources and
ReplyDeletelivelihoods of rural communities. In both national and international policies, role of native domesticated fruit trees in livelihoods of farmers is often neglected. This study explores the role of date palm in improving livelihoods of farmers