Vegetable project in Pakistan build capacity of agriculture extension staff on value chain approach in Punjab and Sindh
Smallholder farmers constitute a major part of the vegetable industry in Pakistan. However, these farmers cannot effectively participate and benefit from the existing vegetable supply chains due to various reasons such as social, financial and market constraints. In addition, a production-orientated mindset can also lead to poor quality and low prices.
Women and youth play key role in nutritional aspects of Pakistan’s potato value chain
In Pakistan, rural women and youth constitute more than half of the country’s 220 million population and are responsible for multiple roles in different aspects of crop and food production. This blog is published ahead of International Youth Day on Friday 12 August, 2022.
Maize cob picker helps increase efficiency of harvests in rural Punjab, Pakistan
Maize farmers in rural Punjab, Pakistan, are realizing the benefits of mechanized harvest technology thanks to a Chinese-made maize cob picker which improves efficiency by 50 percent.
Using compost to grow better cotton in Pakistan: a farmer’s story
This is the story of smallholder cotton farmer Wazeer Ali, who was supported by CABI in Pakistan under the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) in 2021, and is reaping the benefits of composting for his crop.
Better livelihoods sought for smallholder onion farmers
Pakistan is the fifth largest onion producer with a total area of around 131.4 thousand hectares and annual production of 1.8 million tons. Most of the onion farmers are smallholders and face challenges such as smaller volumes and fluctuating prices due to a production-led approach.
Dutch ambassador to Pakistan receives update on country’s potato capacity building project
His Excellency Wouter Plomp, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Pakistan, has received an update on the CABI-led project which aims to build the capacity of 950 smallholder potato growers in the Punjab region.
A history of the spice trade: how spices shaped the world
Spices are now an every day commodity in households around the world. James Hancock explores the origins of this important trade.
Improving access to legume technologies in Ghana
In Ghana, legumes offer an important food staple and commercial crop for smallholder farmers, with legume value chains making a significant impact on food security and household incomes. However, production of legumes, such as soybean, are on the decline in the sub-Saharan Africa. This can be attributed to a number of factors, but chief among…
Organic cotton in Pakistan: policy analysis and recommendations
As the fourth largest cotton producer worldwide, cotton is an integral part of Pakistan’s economy contributing 9.5% of its gross domestic and serving as a core livelihood for 15 million cotton workers. In addition to bringing US$3.5 billion as foreign currency each year to the country, it provides crucial income to cotton-producing households, accounting for…
Dutch Ambassador to Pakistan meets small-scale potato farmers for update on potato capacity-building project
Potato is an important vegetable crop of Pakistan with 88% of production linked to Punjab state – of which 70% comes from within four districts; Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan and Kasur in Pakistan.