Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42263082›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Factors influencing the adoption of sustainable rice farming practices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Zakir Ullah, Jiqin Han, Aftab Anwar, Ahmad Sajjad

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Zakir UllahCollege of Economics and Management, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9402-7340
Jiqin HanCollege of Economics and Management, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Aftab AnwarKey Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Engineering Resilience/Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3860-6970
Ahmad SajjadSchool of Management and Economics, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Rice is a major staple crop and an important source of income for rural households in Pakistan. Its production in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) is challenged by rising input costs, climate variability, and limited institutional support, which undermine productivity and long-term sustainability. Sustainable farming practices (SFPs) offer opportunities to improve resource efficiency and farm profitability. This study identifies the key factors that influence the adoption of SFPs among rice farmers in KPK and evaluates their economic impacts. Primary data were collected from 283 rice-growing households in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, between 18th January 2025 and 27th April 2025 using multistage random sampling. Adoption patterns of practices such as crop rotation and intercropping, reduced chemical use, natural fertilizers, and water-saving methods were examined using descriptive statistics, chi-square testing, cost-benefit analysis, logistic regression, propensity score matching, structural equation modeling, and a decision-tree model. Results show that 56.2 percent of farmers adopted at least one sustainable practice. Education, farm size, access to credit and subsidies, market proximity, and participation in training significantly increased the likelihood of adoption. Adopters achieved higher yields (about 430 kg/ha more) and greater profitability than non-adopters (P < 0.01). Cost-benefit analysis confirmed stronger benefit-cost ratios for sustainable systems. Propensity score matching further supported positive effects on profitability, yield, and household income. The findings highlight the economic viability of SFPs in smallholder rice systems. Wider adoption will require expanded farmer training, improved access to concessional credit and subsidies, and stronger extension support. Promoting these practices can raise farm incomes, improve resource use, and support climate-resilient rice production in KPK, Pakistan.

Indexed as

AgricultureOryzaConservation of Natural ResourcesCost-Benefit AnalysisCrops, AgriculturalFarmersHumansPakistan

Identifiers

PMID42263082
PMCPMC13249190

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.