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Project Context
The project “Women Empowerment through Buckwheat Farming” in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) was
implemented in the villages of union councils (UCs) Tissar and Basha of Tehsil & District Shigar of Gilgit-
Baltistan (GB), Pakistan. Gilgit-Baltistan home to world famous mountain ranges of Karakoram, Himalay
and Hindukush in the north of Pakistan spreads over an area of 72,496 square kilometers (28,174 miles)
and is bestowed with natural resources, scenic landscape, diverse climate conditions, rich biodiversity
featuring a variety of endemic plants, crops and wildlife. Gilgit-Baltistan has an estimated population of
1.9 million1, and is divided into ten districts - Gilgit, Diamer, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizar, Astore, Skardu,
Shigar, Ganche and Karmang, with Gilgit city as the administrative center.
Buckwheat has been using as a staple food in the region. The crop is not a cereal or grain. It is the gluten-
free seed of flowering plant scientifically termed as ‘Fagopyrum Esculentum’ and is commonly found in
raw diet recipes. The seeds are triangular and known as buckwheat grouts which are used to make
gluten-free products including snacks and noodles. In the area, buckwheat farming remained in practice
in the past when the region was not accessible, and population was relying on subsistence agriculture.
However, buckwheat farming decreased significantly as locals stopped using it as a staple food when
they got access to outer the world and connected with main cities of Pakistan with the construction of
Karakoram Highway. There is an obvious lack of awareness amongst locals about its medicinal and
otherwise market values. Local availability of the quality hybrid seed that is more climate-adaptive and is
high in yield is the key impediment to the revival of this valuable crop in the area.
The people of GB have been consuming buckwheat before the adequate availability of the wheat flour in
the area. There are proven health benefits of the buckwheat. Since the production and consumption of
the crop declined, so did the health of ordinary people. Buckwheat is particularly suitable for impoverished
and badly-tilled land that can scarcely produce anything else. Mountainous and sloppy terrains of GB is
highly suitable for this crop. It is a fast-growing crop, that takes only 4-5 weeks from seed to flowering.
Consequently, suppresses weeds and prevent soil erosion due to intensive runoff. Since it matures
quickly, it escapes early autumn frost injury. It is also an excellente green manure crop and improves soil
conditions.
Application of fresh knowledge and improved farming tools/technology will help reduce labor and
decrease costs associated to post harvesting management. All this is possible only when locals have the
required knowledge and skills. Furthermore, improved variety of seed is needed to be tested in the
prevailing climate conditions along with maintaining and conserving the traditional gene pool.
GB has the potential of producing buckwheat to satisfy the market needs of the entire region. The
selected villages are suitable for buckwheat cultivation given their high altitude, semi-temperate zone,
pollution-free environment and double cropping zone.
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Unpo.org/members/8727
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Project Background
The project “Women Empowerment through Buckwheat Farming in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)” is implemented
in Villages Marapi, Braqchan, Dafkor and Kiahong of Union Councils (UCs) Tisser and Basha of Tehsil
& District Shigar of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan. This project is funded by University of St. Thomas
Cameroon School of Business Social Entrepreneur Program (SEP), facilitated by Hashoo Foundation
USA, and implemented by Hashoo Foundation (HF). The project started on November 1, 2016 and will
end on October 30, 2017.
The key objective of this project was the economic and the social empowerment of women through
reviving cultivation and conserving buckwheat. The total primary beneficiaries of the project were 200-
direct women farmers and their 1,400 family members in the far-flung and distant villages of District
Shigar, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). These 200 women farmers formed 14 Women Business Groups under the
supervision of Hashoo Foundation (HF) and implementing partner Mountain Area Farmer Support
Organization (MAFSO). A tripartite MoU was signed between Hashoo Foundation, Women Business
Groups and Mountain Area Farmer Support Organization (MASFO) clarifying their roles and
responsibilities.
The implementing partner Mountain Area Farmer Support Organization (MAFSO) was actively involved
in the field activities and provided technical support and supervision to Women Business Groups in the
successful implementation of the project. Likewise, to provide a better understanding of the buckwheat’s
economical and nutritional benefits, a value chain training was provided to the women farmers in their
respective union councils. The training was planned to inform women farmers about the market demands
of the buckwheat seeds and its finished products. Hashoo Foundation Regional Office Gilgit (ROG) timely
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monitored the field activities through planned follow-up visits to ensure proper documentation of the
project activities, success stories and the concerns that farmers experienced during the project.
Project Activities
Identification, Selection of Women Organisations and Local Support Organization
HF has involved local support organisations (LSO), a grass root community owned and driven
organization, to help with the community mobilization and to implement the project to get the community
to buy-in thus ensuring sustainability in the long term. The project started with the community mobilization,
identification of beneficiaires, and coordination with local implementing partner. On November 11, 2016,
HF regional office team visited District and Tehsil Shigar, Baltistan, for the identification and mobilization
of the potential implementing partners and community-based farmers/women organizations. HF
partnered with Mountain Area Farmer Support Organization (MAFSO) for its community rapport and
outreach.
Based on the initial coordination meetings with targeted beneficiaires the following two points were
agreed:
Figure 1 Hashoo Foundation Regional advisor meeting with implementation partner MAFSO
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Figure 2 HF team and community notable from selected UCs
1. To ensure the registration of the most deserving farmers for buckwheat farming from the target
UCs.
2. To ensure selection of women beneficiaries from the existing Women’s Organizations or from
Women’s Business Groups.
Initially, the proposed UC in the proposal were UC Maraphi and Markunja of Shigar. However, the field
visit findings of HF officials qualified UCs Tissar and Basha for better project outputs. Thus, UCs Basha
and Tissar were selected instead. The major reasons for the selection of UCs Tissar and Basha were:
• Exemplary results of HF’s 2016 buckwheat pilot project. For each kg of buckwheat seed the yield
was 6 kg. About 60% of the seed was purchased by implementing partner from the farmers on
behalf of the HF for future farming in Gilgit.
• The area is very underdeveloped and far away from the district headquarters. Buckwheat farming
can significantly improve food security of the resident communities.
• The farmers have been growing buckwheat and possessed very good knowledge of farming
practices. HF’s support and inputs would be very helpful to enhance the productivity.
• The farmers’ society particularly women were highly mobilized and willing to farm buckwheat in
their fields to increase their income.
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Figure 3 Hardworking women performing farming activities
• The community had genuine need of available sources of income and livelihood, thus making
buckwheat farming a viable option to fulfill community needs.
The soil fertility and texture of the high-altitude areas are suitable for buckwheat as compare to lower
altitude areas which are usually sandy with low nutrients. Therefore, chemical fertilizers are not used for
buckwheat cultivation in high-altitude areas.
2
Specimen attached as Annex-1
3
List attached as Annex-2
4
Attached as Annex-2
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Signing of MoU between HF-MAFSO and WBGs
After the identification of beneficiaries and formation of WBGs, HF and partners devised roles and
responsibilities of the stakeholders for the smooth implementation and completion of the project. All the
partners agreed to sign MoU, the key provisions of the MoU:
Approximately, 149 members of WBGs attended the MoU5 signing between Hashoo Foundation and
MAFSO. Around 29 members of WBGs hailing from small villages, participated in the the meeting.
5
MoU document attached as Annex-3
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Before the MoU signing, WBGs were debriefed on the roles and responsibilities of HF, MASFO, and
WBGs. The members expressed their agreement on the terms and conditions of HF, MAFSO, and WBGs;
and members queries were addressed during the meeting. HF and MAFSO committed to providing
harvesting and processing machines in the future if WBGs continue to implement the project successfully
and produce more than 100,000 kgs of seeds.
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Figure 6 Value Chain Development Training
During the training, HF team motivated the women participants and empowered them through knowledge
and skills. They introduced the theme of buckwheat project and the role of HF in Gilgit- Baltistan in
empowering women. Participating women showed a lot of interest in the session and asked insightful
questions and appreciated HF Gilgit team for its development efforts in the area.
The experts from government agriculture department shared the importance of buckwheat farming. They
informed that the initiatives would provide food, improve health, and would also conserve the biodiversity
in the project target areas. They also shared that buckwheat based healthy honey could also be produced
at commercial scale if farmers adapted buckwheat farming at the commercial scale. The participants
were informed that mountain farmers of GB in Pakistan should start buckwheat cultivation at commercial
scale to meet demands at the national level. Buckwheat is a healthy food and could have a good market
value due to basic consideration of every health-conscious person. It was also discussed that China,
Japan, and Canada were growing buckwheat at large scale and the whole production was consumed
within their own countries.
It was suggested during the training that buckwheat project could be extended to other regions of GB to
support more communities. The farmers expressed their desire for future participation considering
Hashoo Foundation would help them in providing the equipment for increasing the overall production of
buckwheat.
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The experts also presented detailed information on market niche and demand status of buckwheat in
the national and international markets. The participants were oriented on different business opportunities.
The experts also informed them of a variety of buckwheat food items.
The participants received knowledge and information on buckwheat processing, packaging and
marketing; and advice on how to produce quality products to get high returns for their hard work. The
participating farmers recommended the creation of a well-equipped women farmer resource center at
UC. The center would be a hygienic quality control center for product processing in the area. Such
facility would provide a safe working environment for the women to run their business on a sustainable
basis in the future.
Training Methodology
The facilitators used participatory methods and tools for the teaching that enabled trainees to learn new
things, shared their experiences and asked related questions.The trainees asked questions about
cultivation, harvesting, buckwheat diseases and their treatment.
The session was in the month of Ramadan, and the trainees were fasting. Despite the warm weather and
fasting, trainees demonstrated a high level of commitment and attended 3 hours long session with keen
interest. At end of each session, the trainee farmers were provided with buckwheat seed.
As per the traditions and norms of the community, training sessions were conducted in an open space
and all the women were very motivated throughout the session. This clearly indicates women’s keen
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Figure 4 Buckwheat farming and value chain training
interest in the socio-economic sphere of life and it is very encouraging early symptom of wider women
role in the socio-economic affairs in the future.
The training was conducted by a team of senior officials from the Department of Agriculture and was very
productive for trainees as well as for the HF’s team.
The involvement of government officials as training providers offers opportunities for a mutually beneficial
collaboration in the future as HF will be able to benefit from their technical expertise in the implementation
of such projects.
Training Outputs
The training was very successful regarding achieving its objectives, i.e. trainees acquired the necessary
skills for cultivation, harvesting, and processing. They also learned how to safeguard their buckwheat
plants from insects and different diseases. However, following are some of the areas of improvement:
Due to the spread of beneficiaries across the region, the value chain training was organized at different
locations to ensure women’s ease of participation. At the end of the value chain development training, a
ceremony was organized, and the trainees were provided with a bag of 5 kgs (11 lbs) each of buckwheat
seeds.
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Procurement and Distribution of Buckwheat Seeds
Procurement
In November 2016, 1,000 kgs (2,200 lbs) of buckwheat seed were procured by HF regional Office Gilgit
and stored in HF office to be distributed to farmers in Shigar valley of Baltistan region for the upcoming
cultivation season.
Packaging
The packaging of buckwheat seed was made at a ratio of 5 kgs (11 lbs) buckwheat/bag. A bulk of 200
bags were prepared to deliver to 200 farmers members of the buckwheat Women Business Groups.
Mountain Area Farmer Support Organization (MAFSO) compiled a precise but well-detailed booklet6 with
the technical support of Hashoo Foundation (HF) in Urdu language. The booklet provides following
details:
1. Introduction to buckwheat plant.
2. Ecological and economic value of buckwheat.
3. Buckwheat farming.
4. Crop prevention from harmful insects.
5. Nutritional and health benefits (Buckwheat: gluten-free food, contains vitamin P, fagopiretol, rutin,
ferrous, zink, silicon, and lysine).
6. Use of buckwheat in traditional dishes (pancake, bread, cereals, porridges, pasta, kisser, prapo and
marzan).
1,000 printed copies of booklets were published, and 200 copies were distributed among the women
farmers. The remaining booklets were distributed to relevant stakeholders including officials from the
Department of Agriculture and other interested farmers.
6
Attached as Annex-6
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analyze the project outputs and to understand what were the overall factors affecting the farming and
crop. Some of the key findings were:
Implementing partner, MAFSO held a good reputation in the region, and there were strict check and
balance on the quality of work and processes.
1. Farmers mobilization meetings’ attendance sheets and minutes of meetings between HF and
MAFSO were checked and verified.
2. Attendance sheets were checked and verified as per the tripartite MoU signed between HF,
MAFSO, and WBGs.
3. Awareness sessions on buckwheat farming were helpful in learning new techniques, processes,
and methods of buckwheat cultivation.
The crops in the field were physically checked to ensure farmers had properly planted the buckwheat
seed, timely provision of water and
compost. As the plants grew, the fields
were adequately protected from the
grazing cattle. It is pertinent to mention
that the amount of grains produced from
the seeds provided by Hashoo
Foundation were more than the
traditional method standing at the ratio of
20:30. HF’s M&E
team undertook visits, held meetings
and conducted Focus Group Discussion
(FGDs) with WBGs in Village Molto and
Gabkhor of UCs Tissar. Twelve (12
members) of the WBGs participated in Figure 5Monitoring visit to buckwheat field
the FGD. These are the key findings of
the discussion conducted with the
members of WBGs:
1. The project was first of its kind that focused women exclusively and aimed at their economic
empowerment.
2. The local women had the opportunity to participate in the training on buckwheat farming and value
chain development.
3. The project revitalized the cultivation of buckwheat which was almost on the verge of extinction
due to lack of awareness and availability of other options.
4. Religious leaders’ influence in the project area was too prominent which caused some hurdles for
MAFSO in mobilization.
5. Follow-up visits were the most important part of value chain development training that ensured
women had access to support and guidance.
6. Provisions of learning material kits to the WBGs by the implementing partner was beneficial in the
timely transfer of knowledge to further use during the farming practices.
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Buckwheat Seeds Distribution and Collection Info:
1. Distribution of Seeds
• Each farmer received 5kg (11 lbs) buckwheat seeds
• A total of 1,000 kgs (2,200 lbs) of buckwheat seeds were distributed to 200 women farmers
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Buckwheat Farming Process Cycle
Buckwheat
Sowing
Buckwheat Cultivationof
thawing Bcukwheat
Buckwheat
Buckwheat field at
drying flowering
stage
Buckwheat
Production
Buckwheat
Bcukwhet field post
harvesting flowering
stage
Bcukwheat
Buckwheat at
ready to
filling stage
harvest
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Sowing the buckwheat
Cultivation of buckwheat
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Cultivation of buckwheat
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Buckwheat field at flowering stage
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Buckwheat at stage of filling
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Farmers busy with harvesting of buckwheat
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Freshly harvested buckwheat left for drying
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Cleaning and processing of buckwheat
Production of buckwheat
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Key Outputs
• 200 Farmers selected, trained on buckwheat farming and Value Chain Development (VCD)
• 8 Women Organisations (WOs) selected through partner Local Support Organisations (LSOs)
• 2 Meetings conducted with selected WOs and LSOs
• 2 Awareness raising sessions conducted on buckwheat farming
• 14 Women Business Groups (WBG) formed
• 2 MoUs signed with LSOs and WOs
• 1,000 Kg (2,200 lbs) of buckwheat seed procured and distributed among farmers
• 6 Monitoring visits conducted of buckwheat farms
• 13,000 Kg (28,600 lbs) Buckwheat seed produced
• 11,800 Kgs (25,960 lbs) Buckwheat seeds distributed among the 200 women farmers for next season
cultivation
• 1,200 Kgs (2,640 lbs) retained be HF to replicate the Women Empowerment through Buckwheat
Farming project in other areas of GB
• 1,400 Indirect beneficiaries
• Beneficiaries are projected to earn an income of approximately PKRs. 2,950,000 ($29,208) from the
sale of their buckwheat yield
The Women Empowerment through Buckwheat Farming project was very successful and had a
tremendously positive response from the farmers and the local community in terms of its ownership,
acceptance, desired results and its long-term impacts on the farming which would be seen in a couple of
years to come.
Hashoo Foundation (HF) estimated a production of 28,600 lbs (13,000 kgs) from 2,200 lbs (1,000 kgs)
buckwheat seeds. However, the actual production was 13,000 kgs (28,600 lbs). This success was a
result of the women farmers’ commitment and dedication. This project had a tremendous impact in the
community and particularly on the 200 women farmers and their families. Some of the successes and
recommendation based on the learning of the project are:
1. There is considerable scope for the revival indigenous buckwheat crop. The crop was almost extinct
and replaced by other cash crops like potatoes, maize, peas, and wheat, etc. Now, through the HF's
Women Empowerment through Buckwheat Farming project women are aware of its nutritional and
economic value, and, they possess the knowledge to continue its cultivation in the future.
2. The project was implemented in the remotest area of Gilgit-Baltistan, despite geographical, social
and cultural constraints the women of the regions were highly mobilized and motivated to participate
in this economic development project.
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3. The project had a very profound impact on the economic empowerment of the women thus providing
them more say in the household affairs and decision making.
4. The women farmers’ expectations were very high that Hashoo Foundation (HF) with the help of
donor agency would extend its technical and financial support in the future. They are expecting the
expansion of the project through more inputs. They also hope that Hashoo Foundation (HF) and
donor agency will help them in establishing a processing and packaging unit to sell their product in
the high-end markets.
5. The farmers are also optimistic that Hashoo Foundation (HF) may connect them to local, national
and international market.
List of Annexures
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