| Palas
Valley was a mono-cropping area and maize was the only subsistence
crop grown since immemorial times. Free grazing of livestock
was the main obstacle to double cropping. Maize grains produced
by a family were only sufficient for an average of 6 months
consumption, while for the rest of the period a family had to
purchase flour from the Pattan market by selling their live
stock produce. Livestock keeping was their first priority and
agriculture was their secondary source of nutrition.
The month of October 2001 was a fortunate month for the
Palas Community in which 10 wheat demonstration plots were
established as a new intervention (double crop) by the PCDP.
10 mounds wheat seeds were sown in the area for the first
time. The intervention was very successful and a good crop
was harvested by the farmers. Seeing is believing: the results
were seen by the community. It brought about a revolution
and other CBOs sent resolutions from various corners of the
valley requesting for supply of wheat seeds from the PCDP
office and the demands exceeded 120 mounds of seeds.
The plus point is that most of the people of the area agreed
upon not to graze their animals in their fields this year,
so that they can sow and grow wheat crop without damage. There
are special areas like Bar Gabir, which is a totally rainfed
area. This also grows maize, which is altogether uneconomical
and yields are not more than 600-700 kg per hectare (against
2500-3000 kg per hectare normal). The farmers will grow wheat
instead of maize there now, because maize grows in moisture
stress period and yields are less. Wheat thrives on spring
rains to gives a bumper yield (2-3 times more than maize).
It matures in mid May to vacate land for sowing maize (which
becomes another option). The sowing of wheat is not only a
revolution, but also a successful battle against poverty in
the area. The farmers will not only get grains for their consumption,
but also wheat straw as another source of fodder for their
cattle.
FAZAL AHAD
(PO ALR)
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