A three-day exposure visit to Punjab was organized for 20 farmers hailing from Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, and Torghar districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This visit was organized as part of the "Alternative Livelihoods through High-Value Crops Project (ALOP)," funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the United States' State Department and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). FAO's objective through the project is to promote the adoption of high-value alternative crops among farmers and facilitate the creation of connections with markets to augment their earnings.

The exposure visit proved effective in terms of promoting farmer-to-farmer interactions, providing information on improved and climate-smart crop production technologies, facilitating connections with high-value inputs and commodity markets, and fostering knowledge of market dynamics.

On the first day of their visit, the farmers were taken to a progressive off-season vegetable farm in Sheikhupura district where they were witnessed the practical application of essential crop management techniques for off-season vegetable cultivation. The farmers had the opportunity to observe intercropping in tomato, chillies, garlic, and bitter gourd. This visit served as a source of inspiration for farmers to adopt the best production technologies for high-value crops.

On the second day, the farmers paid a visit to the agriculture inputs market in Gujranwala, where they had the chance to engage with merchants selling upgraded seed and small-scale farming tools. The traders familiarized them with valuable insights in various farming techniques, such as the use of seedling trays, peat moss and foliar fertilizers, and the selection of seed for different climatic regions.

During their visit to one of the biggest marketplaces in the country, the Badami Bagh Fruit and vegetable Market (Lahore), the farmers engaged in an open discussion with commission agents and received a brief orientation on the market sale-purchase system. Participating farmers will be using gained knowledge from this exposure visit and improve their farming practices back home.