Resource Mobilization

Reducing inequality in Balochistan through sustainable agricultural development

The Balochistan Agriculture Project was designed to make a significant contribution to alleviating poverty and reducing economic inequalities, with particular emphasis on capacity-building for agriculture and livestock farmers. The focus of the project was on marginal and small-scale farmers from resource-poor households in eight border districts of north-east Balochistan, located within 100 miles of the Afghan border. As part of the project, two smaller so-called emergency projects were implemented in the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) in north-west Pakistan, focusing on livestock support and the livelihood assets of internally displaced families and on ensuring household food security.

What did the project do

The project’s starting point was to set up community organizations. Based on their prioritized needs, members were provided with organizational and technical training and advice, funding for seeds and other agricultural inputs, as well as technical assistance to increase the productivity and revenues of the participating farmers’ communities. The key challenges faced by the farmers were addressed by the project, such as low productivity levels (in particular due to crop failures and poor animal health); limited access to and inefficient use of water; poorly managed, overgrazed and degraded rangelands; a weak research and extension system; high post-harvest losses and problematic access to markets. The project developed small and medium-sized enterprises (Farmers Marketing Collectives) in Balochistan, and successfully linked them with markets. Women were socially and economically empowered through specific activities, such as integrated homestead gardens, poultry and livestock raising and wool-related activities (spinning, dyeing, carpet making).

Impact

In Balochistan the project has significantly increased per capita net daily incomes due to increased crop and livestock productivity, in particular in the horticulture sector. Farmers and those dependent on the agriculture sector are now able to strengthen their positions in the supply chain through their own farmer marketing collectives and mutual marketing organizations. In the FATA project areas communities targeted by project interventions, particularly returnees from displacement who are dependent upon livestock for their means of subsistence, have seen their livelihoods boosted significantly. Input packages and capacity-building have allowed farmers greater possibility to cultivate the land available to them and to feed themselves and their families as a result.

Activities

  • More than 80 micro and small enterprises established and linked to larger-scale firms and markets.
  • Over 2 500 jobs created in the agriculture sector in the eight target districts.
  • Over USD 4 million generated in cost sharing in kind and in cash by the participating communities.
  • Balochistan Agricultural Sector Policy and Strategy developed.
  • 915 community organizations formed, comprising 17 155 households, receiving agriculture-related business development services and support.
  • 3 139 hectares land levelled, 49 lined water reservoirs completed and 16 karezsystems rehabilitated.
  • 165 farmer field schools implemented during the lifetime of project, focusing on apple, tomato, onion, wheat, broad bean, maize and other crops.
  • 1 875 tonnesof improved seeds provided on a cost-sharing basis to the project’s beneficiary communities.
  • 83 training sessions for farmers in vaccination, deworming and ectoparasitecontrol training organized in project districts.
  • Over 300 000 animals vaccinated.
  • 37 community animal health workers trained on topics such as vaccination and deworming.
  • 61 value chain analyses conducted during the lifetime of project.
  • 151 145 households reached with input assistance, with 16 550 households receiving the rabi2015 wheat seed package.
  • 789 ha of agricultural land for 2 050 households was reclaimed for agricultural activities.
  • Over 2 500 families in Frontier Region Bannuwere provided with dewormersand vaccination for 30 123 large and 30 218 small ruminants to manage the health of their livestock.
Project symbol: GCP/PAK/113/USA
Project title: Balochistan Agriculture Project (BAP)
Contact: FAO Office in Pakistan
Email: [email protected]
Download PDF: http://www.fao.org/3/a-bs918e.pdf