EXPLORING AGRICULTURAL RISK PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE IN SINDH, PAKISTAN

Farmers must base their decisions on an informed understanding of risk perception and attitude to navigate the numerous challenges associated with agricultural operations. Nonetheless, there is a lack of sufficient research to be found in countries like Pakistan to cope with such risks pragmatically associated with agriculture. As a result, the purpose of this research is to fill this void by examining how Pakistani farmers perceive and respond to risks associated with agriculture. In the Sindh province, we interviewed 480 agricultural households in eight districts. Multi-stage stratified cluster sampling technique was adopted according to the scope of the study. Risk discernment was surveyed utilizing a risk lattice, while the Similarly Equally Likely Certainty Equivalent (ELCE) strategy was utilized to assess risk mentality. We also looked at the factors that influence farmers' perceptions and attitudes of risk using a probit model. According to our findings, salinity, floods, drought or insufficient rainfall, excessive precipitation, and flooding are the most significant threats to farmers' operations. In addition, we discovered that farmers' risk attitudes and perceptions are significantly influenced, either positively or negatively, by a variety of factors, including age, education level, farm remoteness, off-farm income, and access to market information. These experiences are important for researchers and policymakers, improving comprehension we might interpret risk in the executives’ systems among ranchers in agricultural countries. They lay the groundwork for subsequent research and legislative initiatives aimed at improving farmers' resilience to challenges.