Saima Nazir

<link>saimaro@uaf.edu.pk

<link>    saimnazir89@yahoo.com

0092-336-838159

<link http: uaf.edu.pk>University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan

Current status of Bt cotton cultivation, future challenges, perspectives and its linkages with sustainable livelihood of female cotton pickers in southern Punjab Pakistan

Agriculture has an instrumental role in sustainable economic growth of developing countries like Pakistan. The population of Pakistan is increasing at exponential rate while the expansion of resources is at arithmetic base, putting challenges for growing need of large population. In this scenario agricultural sector has significant contribution to meet the increased public need. Cotton crop has strategic importance being a major industrial plant for many least developed countries (LDCs) including Pakistan. It is considered as key components of Pakistan’s economic uplift employing major share in foreign exchange earnings and employment opportunity for population interlinked with agriculture and its allied filed. Cotton crop is susceptible to various biotic and abiotic stresses which significantly lower the yield and the overall national economic growth subsequently. In order to control the pest attack the excessive pesticide application increased to the production cost and induced cotton growers to adopt Bt cotton. Bt cotton has been cultivated in Pakistan since many years ago. It has resulted in dramatic economic gain in all around the world since its emergence to-date, yet area under Bt cultivation is now reducing on fast pace due to some constraints confronted by farming community. In context of gender empowerment, cotton crop is also very important. It is mostly picked by women and it proves source of income for them during the season to meet their domestic needs. However, the low level knowledge and attitudes (KSAs) among cotton growers and cotton pickers is also putting forth alarming situation. Although, FCPs has significant role in entire cotton production process from sowing to post harvest activities of cotton crop, yet due to lack of KSAs regarding clean picking, adversely affect on the cotton lint and ultimately its market price and low wages for FCPS. In recent research this perspectives has not been adequately and holistically addressed. Keeping in view the importance of economic gender empowerment and national economic uplift to alleviate poverty through Bt production, this study has been purposed to analyze the current status of Bt cotton cultivation, constraints in its production, perception and level of KSAs among FCPs for their increased wage structure and sustainable livelihood.

<link http: www.uaf.edu.pk>Dr. Izhar Ahmad Khan (Associate Professor), Department of Rural Sociology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan

Gender Empowerment, Migration (Internal, International), and Sustainable Community Development

• S. Nazir, I. A. Khan. 2011. “Socio Economic Conditions of Female Domestic Workers before and After Migration in Faisalabad City”. International Conference (ICDD) on Urban, Peri-Urban Agriculture Employment & Value Chain Management, 18-22 Oct 2011
• Mehboob, S., S. Nazir.  “Mineral Deficiency, Screening and Physico-chemical analysis of commercial milk samples of district Lahore, Pakistan”. 2^nd International Conference on Malnutrition Kills! Can we see the Writing on the Walls? April 7^th–8^th 2016. Institute of Food Science & Nutrition, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan.
• Nazir, S., H. Farooq, S. Mehboob. 2016.  “Pros and Cons of Electronic Media in Cultural Value System in Pakistan”. The Lahore International Conference on Culture. 27-29 july, 2016 at Flettis Hotel Lahore.
• H. Farooq, S. Nazir 2016. “Media and Mutual Dependency. The Lahore International Conference on Culture. 27-29 july, 2016 at Flettis Hotel Lahore.
• Nazir, S.  S. Mehboob. 2016.  “Impact of Social Media Marketing on Brand Engagement in Pakistan”. The Lahore International Conference on Culture. 27-29 July, 2016 at Flettis Hotel Lahore.
• Nazir, S., S. Nazir, I. A. Khan, S. Mehboob, M. A. Azmat. 2016. “Linkages, Sustainable Agricultural Development and Socio-economic Empowerment of Rural Women in Pakistan”.  1^st National Conference Emerging Trends and Challenges in Social Sciences (ETCSS-2016) 15^th &16^th  November, 2016 Department of Sociology Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan.
• Nazir¹, S., M. A. Azmat, I.A. Khan, A. A. Maann, S. Mehboob, S. Nazir. 2016. “The Pros and Cons of Internal Migration on Female Domestic Workers in Special Reference to Socio-Economic Status in Metropolis, Pakistan”. 1^st National Conference Emerging Trends and Challenges in Social Sciences (ETCSS-2016) 15^th &16^th  November, 2016 Department of Sociology Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan.
• Nazir, S., S. Mehboob, M. A. Azmat and S. Nazir. 2016. “Role of Electronic Media in Transformation of Socio-Cultural and Religious Value System in Pakistan”. 1^st  National Conference Emerging Trends and Challenges in Social Sciences (ETCSS-2016) 15-16 November, 2016 Department of Sociology Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan.
• M. A. Azmat, A. A. Maann, I. A. Khan, S. Nazir. 2016. Impact of Socio-Economic and Moral Characteristics of Farmers on Female Cotton Picker’s Conducive Work Environment in Pakistan. 1^st  National Conference Emerging Trends and Challenges in Social Sciences (ETCSS-2016) 15-16 November, 2016 Department of Sociology Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan.
• Nadeem, N., H. farooq, K. N. Khan, S. Nazir, R. M. Saleem. 2016. Factors Affecting on Career Choice among Undergraduate Students in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. 1^st National Conference Emerging Trends and Challenges in Social Sciences (ETCSS-2016) 15-16 November, 2016. 
• Mehboob, H., H. Mehboob, S. Nazir. 2016. Burnout Syndrome, Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization and Peraonal Accomplishment among Nurses in Jinaah Hospital Lahore. 1^st  National Conference Emerging Trends and Challenges in Social Sciences (ETCSS-2016) 15-16 November, 2016 Department of Sociology Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan.Nazir, S. S. Mehboob, M. A. Azmat. 2016. “Linkages Sustainable Agricultural Development along the Outreach Activities in Southern Punjab, Pakistan” International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan Jointly organized by UCDavis and UAF From November 17 ­19, 2016.
• Mehboob, S., S. Nazir. 2016. Water Energy and Food Linkages with Sustainable Agricultural Development Future Challenges and Prospective. International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan Jointly organized by UCDavis and UAF from November 17 ­19, 2016.
• Nazir, S, S. Mehboob. 2016. “A Study to Analyze the Impact of Overgrazing Practices on Rangeland Degradation in Southern Punjab Pakistan”.  International Conference on forestry and Environment-ICFE-2016 UAF, Pakistan