IUCN Pakistan Programme Northern Areas Strategy for Sustainable Development Background Paper AgricultureAgriculture andand FoodFood SecuritySecurity Dr. Ali Asghar Hashmi Shafiullah Planning & Development Dept., Northern Areas Agriculture and Food Security Planning & Development Dept., Northern Areas The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN. Published by: IUCN, Northern Areas Programme. Copyright: ©2003 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resource s . Reproduction of this publication for educational and other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior permission from the copyright holder, providing the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of the publication for resale or for other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission from the copyright holder. Citation: Dr. Ali Asghar Hashmi and Shafiullah, 2003. ii NASSD Background Paper: Agriculture and Food Security. IUCN Pakistan, Northern Areas Progamme, Gilgit. x+136 pp. Series editor: Hamid Sarfraz ISBN: 969-8141-42-1 Cover & layout design: Azhar Saeed, ECK Group, IUCN Pakistan. Printed by: Rosette Printers, Karachi Available from: IUCN-The World Conservation Union Northern Areas Programme Alpine Complex, Jutial, Gilgit Tel.: 05811-55 692 Fax: 05811-55 799 Website: www.northernareas.gov.pk/nassd TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Acronyms vi Foreword vii Executive Summary ix 1. Introduction 1 1.1. Agriculture 1 1.2. Food Security 2 1.3. Northern Areas 4 1.3.1. Present Land Use 7 1.3.2. Climate 8 1.3.3. Soils and Land Potential 9 1.3.4. Physiography and Soils 11 2. Current Situaton 15 2.1. Food Crops 15 2.1.1. Crop Area, Production and Yields 16 2.1.2. Wheat and Barley 22 2.1.3. Maize 20 2.2. Fodder 32 2.2.1. Traditional Fodder Production Practices 34 2.2.2. Researchable Themes for Maize 37 2.2.3. Approaches to Crop Improvement 37 2.3. Fruit Crops 41 2.4. Vegetable Crops 44 2.4.1. Constraints 45 2.4.2. Enhancing Cropping Intensity 46 2.4.3. Vegetables’ Dehydration and Preservation 46 iii 2.4.4. Marketing 47 2.4.5. Biotechnology for Horticultural Crops 50 2.5. Floriculture 51 2.6. Cash Crops 52 2.6.1. Vegetable Crops 52 2.6.2. Fruit Crops 52 2.6.3. Medicinal Plants 53 2.6.4. Others Options 53 2.7. Seed Production 54 2.7.1. General Constraints 54 2.7.2. Specific Constraints 54 2.8. Livestock 59 2.8.1. Breed Characteristics 61 2.8.2. Production System 62 2.8.3. Animal Health 63 2.8.4. Fodder Resources 64 2.8.5. Livestock Research Themes 66 2.8.6. Livestock Extension 66 2.8.7. Areas of Immediate Attention for Improvement 67 2.9. Poultry 69 2.9.1. Constraints 69 2.10. Fisheries 69 2.10.1. Administrative Set-up 70 2.10.2. Constraints 73 2.10.3. Issues to be Addressed for Promotion of Fisheries 74 2.11. Extension Services 76 2.11.1. Existing Set-up 76 2.11.2. Constraints 76 2.11.3. Recommendations 78 2.12. Eco-tourism 78 2.13. Agro-Forestry 79 2.14. Integrated Pest Management and Plant Quarantine 80 2.15. Human Food and Nutrition 80 2.15.1. Food Balance 81 2.16. Gender Integration 81 2.16.1. Gender Disparity 82 2.17. Micro-credit 82 2.17.1. Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) in NA 83 2.18. Post Harvesting, Storage and Marketing 85 2.18.1. Researchable Themes in Marketing 87 2.19. Agricultural Research 87 2.19.1. Linkages 88 2.20. Conservation Strategy 89 2.21. Medicinal Plants 94 2.21.1. Recommendations 95 2.21.2. Collaboration with CSC and ICUC 96 2.21.3. Researchable Themes 96 2.22. Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) 98 2.23. Induction of Private Sector for Development in Agriculture 100 iv 2.23.1. Causes of Low Productivity 101 2.23.2. Production Potential 102 3. Issues and Trends 104 3.1. Habitat Loss 104 3.2. Endangered Species 106 3.3. Degradation of Agra-ecosystems’ Homeostasis 106 3.4. Lack of Awareness 107 3.5. Lack of Biodiversity Inventories and Monitoring Systems 107 3.6. Institutional Capability, Capacity and Resources 107 3.7. Gaps in Knowledge 108 3.8. Laws in NA 108 3.9. Side Effects of NGOs Activities 109 4. Consequences of Inaction 111 4.1. Malfunctioning of Ecosystem 112 4.2. Reduced Food Security 112 4.3. Accelerated Erosion 112 5. Stakeholders 113 5.1. Local Level Stakeholders 113 5.2. Conservation and Developmental Organizations 113 5.3. Public Sector Institutions in NA 113 5.3.1. NAPlanning and Development Department 114 5.3.2. Forest Department of NA 114 5.3.3. Agriculture Department 114 5.3.4. Livestock Department 114 5.3.5. Fisheries Department 114 5.4. Federal Government Institutions 114 5.4.1. Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development (MoELGRD) 115 5.4.2. Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas 115 5.4.3. Ministry of Agriculture 115 5.5. Global Interest Groups and Institutions 115 6. The Way Ahead 117 6.1. Irrigation for Cultivable Waste 117 6.1.1. Multiple Use of Irrigation Water 117 6.1.2. Increasing Water Supplies 117 6.2. Support Services 117 6.3. Improvement in Research and Extension 118 6.4. Important Impact Areas in Extension 118 6.5. Minimizing Post-Harvest Losses 118 6.6. Improving Existing Agricultural Farming Systems 118 6.7. Livestock Production Strategy 119 6.8. Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development 119 6.9. Global Challenges 119 6.10. Food Security 120 6.11. Forest Resources 120 v 6.12. Human Resource Development 120 6.13. Participatory Approach 121 6.14. Marketing of Fruits and Vegetables 121 6.15. Agricultural Research and Karakoram International University 122 6.16. Soil Degradation 123 6.17. Conserving the Indigenous Materials 123 6.18. Administrative Set-up 123 6.19. Gender Integration 124 Annex 1: Organisation of Agricultural Service Bodies 125 Annex 2: Wild Relatives and Land Races of Crop Plants in NA 127 References 134 LIST OF ACRONYMS AKRSP Aga Khan Rural Support Programme AKDN Aga Khan Development Network AKCSP-P Aga Khan Cultural Services, Pakistan AKES Aga Khan Education Services AKHS Aga Khan Health Services AKU Aga Khan University BACIP Building and Construction Improvement Programme BAEJ Baltistan Association of Environmental Journalists BCF Baltistan Cultural Foundation DFID Department for International Development FWO Frontier Works Organisations GoP Government of Pakistan GCIC Gilgit Information and Conservation Centre HERP Hunza Education Resource Project HWF Himalayan Wildlife Foundation KADO Karakoram Area Development Organisation MoKANA Ministry of Kashmir and Northern Areas Affairs NACS Northern Areas Conservation Strategy NA Northern Areas NAA Northern Areas Administration NCS National Conservation Strategy NDO Nounehal Development Organization NGO Non-Governmental Organization NRM Natural Resource Management MACP Mountain Areas Conservancy Project PRIF GEF – Pre-Investment Facility Project SPCS Sarhad Provincial Conservation Strategy vi SAP Social Action Programme VCC Village Conservation Committee VC Village Councils VO Village Organisations WO Women Organisation WASEP Water and Sanitation Extension Programme WWF-P World Wide Fund for Nature, Pakistan FOREWORD The Northern Areas have a unique and critical role to play in the sustainable development of Pakistan. Although they span a relatively small geographical area, the Northern Areas serve as a vital catchment for the Indus River, upon which a majority of Pakistan's irrigated agriculture and hydroelectricity depends. The Northern Areas also contain the nation's most important natural forests, extensive mineral reserves, and a wealth of biodiversity. Dramatic scenery, some of the world's highest mountains, and a rich cultural and archaeological heritage make the Northern Areas one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country. Over the last several decades, however, many of the Northern Areas' natural resources have come under increasing pressure, as a result of a growing human population and the opening of the Karakoram Highway. At the same time, it has become increasingly recognised that the isolated nature of many of the region’s communities, coupled with the Northern A reas' high-altitude and fragile environment, poses special constraints and challenges to development. Perhaps more so than in any other part of Pakistan, there is a need in the Northern Areas to ensure that social and environmental considerations are fully integrated into the development process. In response to these concerns, the Northern Areas Administration began the preparation of a Northern Areas Strategy for Sustainable Development in 1999, with the financial assistance of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation; technical support has been provided by IUCN–The World Conservation Union. The Strategy addresses a broad range of social, economic and environmental issues, and seeks to provide a comprehensive policy framework for the sustainable development of the region. It responds directly to the provisions and recommendations of the National Conservation Strategy, adopted by the Government of Pakistan in 1992. In parallel, The State of the Environment and Development in the Northern Areas vii summarises in a single volume the key information gathered during the preparation of the NASSD. It is the first report of its kind to be produced for the Northern Areas, which provides a succinct, up-to-date and readily accessible analysis of the status of the most important environment and development sectors in the Northern Areas, including information on major trends and issues, the responses taken by both government and civil society to date, and strategic options for the future.