Possession of durable consumer goods is another useful indicator of household socioeconomic
status. The possession and use of household durable goods have multiple effects and implications. For instance, access to dish or television exposes household members to update daily events, information, and educational materials. Similarly, a refrigerator prolongs food storage and keeps food fresh and hygienic. Ownership of transportation allows greater access to services away from the local area and enhances social and economic activities. Table 5.38presents the percentages of households that possess various durable commodities, means of transportation. Table 5.38shows that electric iron and fans emerged as the main needs of the households as all the respondents have these items at their houses. Televisions and mobile telephones are common devices possessed by most households for information and communication. Approximately 92 percent of households possess mobile phones. The households have a television (86 percent) and possession of a radio is 6%. Another indicator of household socioeconomic status is ownership (27%) of a computer and availability of an Internet connection, yet the trend is growing slow, perhaps the people are more affiliated with religion, so accept the change slowly. A refrigerator is available in 84% of the households. About 4% of households possess anAir condition, and 72% have a washing machine. Motorcycles and car are the most common means of transportation in the project area and53% percent of households own a motorcycle, 10% own a car and pick up van also owned by 10%. However, 5% have the bicycle using for communication purpose but is replacing with Motorcycle now. 14% have the tractors used for agriculture purposes. Geyser is the least used item of the area; only 3% households owned it. Table 5.38: Possession of Household Goods Items Households Items Households Items Households Television 86% Washing Machine 72% Car 10% Geyser 3% Refrigerator 84% Motorcycle 53% Sewing Machine 55% Mobile Phone 92% Air conditioner 4% Computer 27% Bicycle 5% Fan 100% Radio 06% Elect. Iron 100% Pick up/ Van 10% Tractor 14% - - - - Credit There are two types (Institutional and non-institutional) of credit source found in the project area. The survey revealed that 33% sampled household’s took the loan from formal and informal sources. Formal sources mean Khushali bank, Akhuwat and money lender while the informal sources mean relatives. The loan was obtained for marriages, construction of the houses, buying of the motor cycle, business development and agriculture purpose. The amount of loan ranged from Rs.10000 – Rs.300, 000/-. Environmental and Social Assessment of Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority 5-89 Land Holding Land is the major determinant of farm income and big holding size is the symbol of dignity and honor in the rural set up. Though, the holding size is decreasing due to inheritance fragmentation and urbanization of the area but still have the value in the rural area. According to agriculture censes 2000, 15% Households have less the 1 acre land, 26% HHs have 1 to 2.5 acres,23% HHs have 2.5 to 5 acres,15% HHs have 5 to 7.5 acre,11% HHs have 7.5 to 12.5 acres,7% HHs have 12.5 to 25 acres, 1% HHs have 25 to 50 acres According to field survey, the average land holding size of the area is 70 Kanal. However, the detail is discussed in the below Table 5.39. Table 5.39: Detail of Land Holding Size of the Respondents *1acre = 8 Kanal, Source: Sample survey Table 5.39shows that majority of the respondents are having very small holding size, as only 7% are having more than 100 kanal of holding size. Hence, to maintain their livelihood, the respondents are doing the multi-tasking or rented in the land either on lease or share cropping basis.Table 5.39reveals that 22% of the respondents are very small land holding size (up to 5 kanal), followed the 31% having the holding size up to 25 kanal. Survey also shows that 26% and 14% are having the maximum holding size, 50 Kanal and 100 Kanal respectively. Field investigation reveals that 98% farmers are self operators, 19% (out of 98%) are owners cum tenant and only 2% area is operated by the tenant farmers. The tenancy is discouraged due to small holding size. However, those people have given their land who are either big holding size or absent from the area and settled in the main cities. Crops The major crops of the area are wheat, fodder and vegetables, especially onion and cabbage, however, few others crops like gram, maize, ground nuts, oil seeds, lentil are also grown. The wheat is grown at larger scale due to having rain fed area and few Tubewells have also been installed to irrigate the vegetables and fodder crop mostly.Table 5.40 indicates that total cultivated area of Wheat is 270 acres, Maize 23 acres and vegetables grown area is 38 acres with the total income of Rs.8,290,560, Rs. 533,600 and Rs. 2,939,907 respectively. However, cost of production for wheat crop is Rs. 6,350,577, maize is Rs. 533,600 and for vegetables the cost of production is Rs. 2,228,000 and got the net income from wheat Rs. 1,939,983, Maize Rs. 66,600 and net income for vegetables is Rs.711,706. Notably, vegetables are the most profitable crops of the project area. Field investigation also reveals that on seeing the market trend, people grow the vegetables. Sr. No. Land Holding Size (Kanal*) No. of Households Percentage (%) of Households 1. 0.1 – 5 9 22 2. 5.1 - 25 13 31 3 25.1 - 50 11 26 4. 50.1 – 100 6 14 5 Above 100 3 07 Total: 42 100 Environmental and Social Assessment of Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority 5-90 Table 5.40: Detail of crops grown and income Type of Crop Total Area sown (Acre) Average Yields/ Acre Total income (PKR) Total cost incurred (PKR) Net income (PKR) (Kg) Wheat 270 1024 829,0560 6,350,577 1,939,983 Maize 23 928 533,600 467,000 66,600 Vegetables 38 554 2,939,907 2,228,000 711,706 Livestock Livestock rearing is considered to be an important source of income. Like other areas of Pakistan, people do practice of rearing livestock, as an economic source. A general problem in the areas is the increasing milk deficit due to growing population. The expanding population is also causing farm sizes to shrink. The free grazing of cattle is not possible anymore as the land is too densely populated in the grid station; however, it is possible in the mountainous area of transmission line. Other problems seen by the Livestock is the increasing prices for inputs, like feeds; the high costs of fodder production; and the tendency to use fertilizer for food production. According to key informants, the number of cattle per household is decreasing. According to field survey, buffalos, cows, goats, sheep and donkey appear to be the common livestock species in the areas. On average each household has 1.89 buffalos, 2.69cows and 3.4 goats. In term of costing of the animals, buffalo cost varies from Rs. 70,000 to 175,000 per head, cow cost is Rs. 50,000 to Rs.150, 000 and goat per head cost is reported as Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 80,000/- 5.4.6 Social Infrastructure and Services The District