Causes and consequences of social conflicts among rural families in Punjab, Pakistan

This study was conducted in three tehsils, Gujranwala, Nowshera Virkan and Wazirabad of district Gujranwala. The major objective of the study was to explore the causes and consequences of the different conflicts faced by the rural people. A total 384 respondents were chosen at random. Data were collected through face-to-face interview technique on a structured, validated and reliable interview schedule from randomly selected 384 respondents. Collected data were analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings indicated that, conflicts between two groups; conflicts over access to power, feeling of self-superiority, dispute over access to agricultural resources, mutual farming, disturbance in family relationship and theft of farm produce were the major causes of the conflicts as perceived by respondents. The conflicts had adverse impacts on the availability of labor, inputs, and farm assets and more importantly on adoption of innovations among farmers in particular. In result, decrease in farm production and income of farmers was more likely. Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed that, age, education, income level, land size and farming experience of respondents had statistically significant relationship (P<0.05) with the effects of conflicts. This implies that by strengthening the socio-economic profile of the rural people the severity of the conflicts can be minimized. This study urges the development and execution of conflict resolution strategies in the study area through the synergistic institutional coordination. It was recommended that extension staff can minimize the threat of conflicts by educating the farming community and they should conduct the seminar and training sessions for the local stakeholders who are the active part of conflicts resolution.