JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE & SOCIAL SCIENCES 1813–2235/2005/01–2–117–119 http://www.ijabjass.org Level of Awareness About World Trade Organization and Its Objectives in Balochistan–Pakistan BADAR NASEEM SIDDIQUI 1 , NIAZ HUSSAIN MALIK†, M.Z.Y. HASSAN‡ AND AHMED SAEED KHAN¶ Agriculture Extension, On Farm Water Management, Muslim Bagh, Balochistan–Pakistan †Departments of Agricultural Education, ‡Extension, and ¶Continuing Education, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad– 38040, Pakistan 1 Corresponding author’s e-mail: abq67@yahoo.com ABSTRACT A multistage-cum-random sampling technique was used to conduct this study aimed at determination of level of awareness about world trade organization (WTO) and its objectives. Samples of 355 apple growers were selected from five selected tehsil of five district of Balochistan. All the EFS working in these tehsils were selected as study respondents. In addition, a sample of 25 teaching staff from Agriculture College Baleli, Quetta and 30 researchers from ARI Quetta were also drawn by using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through interview schedule and was analyzed with the help of SPSS. Majority (40 and 60%) of the teaching staff and researcher come to know about WTO through electronic media. About 43 and 48% of the researcher and teaching staff respondents were aware of the objective to expand the market for international business. About 43% of the researcher respondents reported that WTO will be beneficial at international level whereas, 48% of the teaching staff reported that WTO will have harmfull effect at country level. Key Word: Beneficial; Farmers; Harmful; WTO INTRODUCTION Pakistan has signed the WTO agreements. Pakistan has already spent 8 out of 10 years grace period granted for the initial implementation of reduction comments made under the WTO. Pakistan has only two years (up to year 2004) to implement the first phase (Naeem, 2002). As far as Pakistan is concerned, considerable expansion in agricultural output and trade may be anticipated with full and uniform implementation of WTO negotiations. Along with other exports like leather and leather made-up, spices, cut flowers, Pakistan is major exporter of tropical nuts and fruits like apple, citrus and mango, whereas, developed countries promised to reduce tariff by some 42-50% in this connection (Anonymous, 2003). The Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) with its Food and Agriculture Division develop standards for foods and food products. The PSQCA standards are voluntary standards and these indirectly complement the implementation of Pure Food Ordinance, which is mandatory regulatory framework for the entire country. As apple fruit production faces multifarious types of problems like apple scab, apple rot, root rot, die back and codling moth, maggot, American bollworm (Helvicoverpa armegera) and mites etc. which requires use of chemicals for their control against them which are hazardous to human and animal ecosystem. To cope this danger the WTO maintains the standards in the form of Sanitary and Phyto- Sanitary measures, impedance of hazardous chemicals, pre and post-harvest practices, export and quarantine laws, which would result in increasing obstacles in the export of apple. The major stakeholders in the system of agriculture extension under the umbrella of WTO are farmers, extension field staff (EFS), teaching staff and researchers. While speaking of farmers or consumers point of view, the preference of out come of complex interplay of the factors such as social values, social change, demonstration effects external factors and multi media influences and availability of product range, awareness about processed products, accessibility to outside products, product quality expectations and aesthetic value consideration. To cope with this situation, our methodologies encircles the situation, plan and execution of production programmes based on the results of research and help farmers to find out the outlets for their farm products but now we shall have to design the modalities for this kind of work in collaboration with the agricultural economists, marketing experts and agencies within the country and abroad (Sawant, 2003). For the preparation of challenges of WTO, it is necessary to prepare the scientist and researchers. The progress and advancement of country depended on scientific knowledge and application of technical skills and efficacy. For this purpose, Government should encourage research activities in the public sector, universities with a view to raising standard of higher education and linkage with industries (Staff, 2004). At this nick of time, only the extensionist can create awareness among the farming community about WTO agreements and its impact on their produce and exports. But it is only possible when extension field staff (EFS) are fully aware of the rules and regulations of WTO along with their advantages & disadvantages and has the ability to deliver it