Multidimensional Poverty Analysis of Small Growers in District Khairpur Mir’s

Abstract

Poverty remains one of the major challenges to sustainable rural development in Pakistan, particularly among smallholder farming households. This study aimed to analyze the multidimensional poverty status of small growers in District Khairpur Mir's, Sindh, Pakistan, during the 2025 study period. The specific objectives were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of small growers, determine the level of multidimensional poverty in terms of health, education, and living standards, and provide policy recommendations for reducing rural poverty. Primary data collected from small growers through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistical techniques, including means and standard deviations, used to analyze the socio-economic characteristics and multidimensional poverty indicators. The analysis focused on three major dimensions of poverty: health, education, and living standards, together with household income, expenditure, food consumption, housing conditions, and asset ownership. The findings revealed that the average age of the respondents was 38 years, indicating that most respondents belonged to the economically active age group. However, the study found considerable deprivation in all three dimensions of multidimensional poverty. Health-related problems, including cough, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, reflected inadequate access to quality healthcare services. Educational attainment was generally low, with a high proportion of respondents being illiterate or having only primary-level education. Living standards were also poor, as many households lived in kacha houses and had limited ownership of essential household assets and basic amenities. Household expenditures on food, education, healthcare, transportation, and communication represented a substantial financial burden, while agriculture remained the principal source of household income. Limited livelihood diversification and inadequate infrastructure further increased the economic vulnerability of small growers. The study concludes that multidimensional poverty among small growers in District Khairpur Mir's driven by deficiencies in health, education, and living standards rather than income alone. Improving rural infrastructure, expanding access to quality healthcare and education, strengthening agricultural extension services, promoting income diversification, and implementing effective public–private partnership (PPP) programs are essential for reducing multidimensional poverty and improving the overall well-being of rural farming households. The findings provide useful evidence for policymakers, development agencies, and researchers in designing targeted interventions for sustainable rural development in Sindh, Pakistan.