Subsistence Farming in Chitral

..  Prof. Rahmat Karim Baig

The farmers of Chitral since time immemorial have been subsistence farmers and due to geographical constraints could not sell any their products to the markets to get cash for their products. In the old days it was quite impossible and shortage of food was at high level and all kind of land produce was consumed by the members of the family concerned and loaning of grain was not possible even for the so called land Lords but after 50s the hold of the state and her taxes were withdrawn and they were in rather better position to work harder. It was not possible due to very poor road link with neighbouring states like Dir or Swat. W ehad no trade relations with Afghanistan via Arandu but a summer trading facility was possible via Durah pass but food items were not sold.

In the 60s some department were opened in Chitral and some of the efficient Agriculture officers did introduce a number of improved seed qualities and land produce began to improve and better crops on the arrival  and use of chemical fertilizers  improve yield per acre. Even now we have few agricultural products to bring to the market. Wheat is not sufficient. Corn is sold and bought at local level but also is to be had from the shops. Some varieties of pulses like beans, lentil etc. come to local market. That is some of these are now produced in larger amount and beside local consumption some comes to Chitral market.

The scope of fruit is more promising. Fruit trees have been planted on commercial scales and apples, pomegranates, cherries, grapes are generally seen in proper season. Dry fruit like dries mulberries of various varieties, dried apricots, walnuts, dried apple flakes, pear flakes etc. are also seen in the stock of dry fruit merchants. The price of Chalghuza is fluctuating. The price of walnuts has risen. There are two kinds. The one has brown kernel and is regarded cheaper and the white kernel walnut of higher altitude areas is considered superior. The pathan traders have reached the last walnut tree in each valley and buy at Rs. 350/- per kg from the owners. The children in each village have come to know about the value of walnut so they never hesitate to collect even by hook or crook the walnut from the owners and sell to the wandering Pathan traders. It means walnut stock of a family is now more valued but also vulnerable as it is dried on the roofs of the houses from where palfrey is made at night by men of loose conduct.

It is a crying need of the day that farmers Cooperative Societies have to be formed on legal basis and all the surplus product be collected by each unit and sold at one place in each valley where the buyers shall come on a fixed date and open bids and the highest bidder shall pay better price to the owners. This will be an organized way and the highest bidder shall have to pay normal tax to the TMA concerned. .. Prof. Rahmat Karim Baig, Chitral 11 Nov 2021

One thought on “Subsistence Farming in Chitral

  1. Establishing Farmers Cooperative Societies is an excellent idea to get maximum benefits from the subsistence farming of Chitral. There are many fruits and nuts which have high demand in international markets and once the cooperative societies are established and farm produces are procured by the cooperative at market price then additional money can be generated out of the procured produce by selling them at premium prices in the international market. I will give one example from Jalalabad Kyrgyzstan where farmers’ cooperative collects/purchase all walnuts from the farmer in villages at local market rate and then sell the walnut kernels to one oil extracting expelling factory with a higher premium price and earn additional money. This additional money is utilized for social welfare activities of the communities like village road construction, drinking water supply to villages in remote areas, building toilets in schools, and many other similar activities based on local community needs. a similar approach can be adopted in Chitral to help support poor subsistence farmers and for better social services.

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