Expected Results

Activities

Sustainable agriculture development for improved nutrition and income generation.

Besides livestock, agriculture is the main livelihood for most Palasis. The output in the sector will have significant direct impact on the local communities and the sustainability will be an indicator for the success of the PCDP. The main output will be to increase the income from agriculture practices through introduction and improvement of the present practices in the valley.

This will be achieved through introduction and maintenance of an improved maize variety, extending on the work that has already been achieved by HJP. Presently more than 50% of the valley farmers have adopted the improved maize variety and the project staff is still maintaining a fresh strain of this disease resistant variety (using Government certified seed and plant verities).

In regards to the output of the Integrated Disease Pest Programmed, the project will look into options of other approaches for pest control e.g. organic farming

Sustainable development of agriculture offers great potential for income generation in Palas. A number of priorities have been identified through PRA and technical studies (see below), some of which are already being addressed under the HJP; the PCDP will build upon these. Flexibility is retained to allow additional priorities to be identified through further studies. However, with limited staff, new initiatives must be phased in gradually. Activities will generally prioritise nutrition over income generation, and will aim to reduce the risks of crop failure rather than maximise production.

To avoid the creation of dependency upon external assistance, there will be a strong emphasis on training of village-based agricultural extension workers and of progressive farmers enabling them to resolve problems themselves. Training will raise awareness and develop skills in relation to the various programme interventions. The programme requires limited inputs for demonstration purposes (seed, planting materials, fertilisers and pesticides, tools and implements), and support for training courses and for agricultural workers; no high-cost capital items are involved.

i) Introduction, evaluation and multiplication of improved crop varieties

The high potential of quality seed and planting materials of improved varieties, well adapted to local conditions and needs, is well established for mountain environments like Palas. The identification of crops best adapted to local enviromental conditions and to local human needs requires the introduction and evaluation of improved seed. HJP has already begun this process for the staple maize crop, sucessfully testing five improved varieties in various agro-ecological conditions in Palas, and multiplying locally preferred varieties on farmer-managed plots. Improved cultivars of other crops are now required, including a broad range of food, fodder, forage and cash crops, both traditionally grown and crops new to Palas. As research and development on seed and other planting material in Pakistan focuses almost exclusively on lowlands, there may be a need to search overseas for varieties adapted to the highland conditions of Palas. For some crops, varieties appropriate to the environmental conditions of Palas (altitude, pest and diseases, etc.) may not exist. The PCDP will keep abreast of developments in plant breeding, and seek to identify, evaluate and multiply varieties which are more disease resistant, tolerant and/or otherwise better adapted to local conditions than those presently available. Dependency on external sources will be minimised through local maintenance, multiplication and security of high quality seed and planting material, as far as possible through farmer-managed plots. Care will be taken not to destroy any important existing crop genetic diversity in Palas; collection and breeding of local landraces is a possibility.

ii) Establishment of fruit tree orchards and nurseries

The Palas environment offers potential for production of a variety of fruits including apple, pear, plum, cherry, almond, apricot, persimmom, walnut, pecan and cobnut. The PCDP will continue the initiatives of the HJP in the establishment of nurseries and orchards to demonstrate and multiply improved and adapted varieties for extension to family orchards and field-edge plantings throughout Palas.

iii) Trials to increase cropping intensity and crop rotation

A longer cropping season at lower altitudes offers potential for double-cropping without disrupting existing cropping systems and crop/livestock interactions. Trials will explore the potential for winter-hardy fodder crops (eg. barley, vetch, oats) to be harvested before the staple maize crop is planted in late May, and for late season crops (carrots, turnips, etc.) be planted after the maize harvest in early October. Trials in crop rotation will seek to resolve problems of disease and soil fertility caused by maize mono-cropping.

iv) Integrated pest and disease management

An IPDM programme will be developed and implemented. Given the ecological importance of Palas, preference will be given to cultivation measures - such as crop rotations and field flooding - rather than the use of pesticides. Pests and diseases of all crops grown in Palas will be monitored in order to design appropriate integrated pest and disease management regimes.

v) Women's agricultural extension

Women's agricultural extension is vital because women are responsible for many agricultural tasks, and because joint training of men and women is culturally unacceptable. A cautious approach is required, with male approval for the programme a precondition. The objectives will be to improve household nutrition, improve women's productivity and reduce women's workloads. This programme will be linked closely to the PCDP health, nutrition and sanitation component (Annex 5).

Training will be imparted through village and household-based training sessions by female agriculturalists working in the local Shina language. Since the majority of women are illiterate, teaching methods will rely on oral communication, audio and visual aids. Priority areas for training include: kitchen-gardening of vegetables (warm and cold season); improved backyard poultry production including trials with more productive, scavenging poultry birds (`Fayoumi') for increased egg production; animal health; fodder production and storage; demonstration of improved tools; land preparation; pests and diseases of field crops; grain storage. In addition, specialised skills training is planned for 1-2 women from each village, eg: in vaccination of chickens against Newcastle's disease, and improved poultry management techniques.

vi) Agricultural enterprise development

The PCDP will analyse the current enterprise situation and aim cautiously to facilitate improved access to credit. Specialised advice may be provided in business development, quality control etc., and in developing the linkages between producers and buyers.

vii) Introduction of efficient tools, implements and simple machinery

The introduction, demonstration and maintenance of appropriate tools, implements and simple machinery (eg. maize shellers) can enhance the efficiency of cultivation, increasing productivity and reducing costs. In particular, it can reduce the workload of women, who are responsible for many agricultural activities.

vii) Agro-ecosystems analysis and base-line studies

PRA and technical studies will describe and analyse agronomic conditions and provide base-line data on yields and production. Meteorological data will also be collected.