Informal Farmer-to-Farmer Networks Shaping Land-Use Decisions and Indigenous Agricultural Practices in Rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Informal farmer-to-farmer networks play a critical role in shaping land-use decisions and sustaining indigenous agricultural practices, especially in rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. These networks function as primary knowledge transmission channels, enabling farmers to share insights on crop selection, soil management, pest control, and adaptive strategies over time. This study employed a mixed-methods design, combining structured surveys with ethnographic interviews to analyze how both smallholder and medium-to-large landowners leverage social networks to influence agricultural outcomes. Data were collected from 350 participants across three districts, capturing both historical and contemporary practices. Findings indicate that knowledge sharing is strongly influenced by kinship, local hierarchies, gender roles, and trust. Informal networks facilitate rapid dissemination of low-cost, contextually appropriate practices, while formal agricultural extension services remain underutilized. Network centrality and reciprocity were found to correlate positively with adoption of sustainable land-use practices. The study contributes to understanding how social structures mediate agricultural decision-making and provides policy insights for integrating indigenous knowledge into formal agricultural planning.