Non-timber farming sector remains side-lined

Government’s discontinuation of a critical farming project has left hundreds of families without stable income

LAHORE:

Various projects claim to alleviate poverty and strengthen the rural economy in Punjab, but the Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) sector has been continuously neglected, despite its potential to connect small businesses and provide employment to thousands of rural families, especially women.

Experts are of the opinion that if a proper policy is adopted in this direction, Pakistan will not only reduce poverty but will also become self-sufficient in the field of herbal medicine and cosmetics. Fatima Bibi from Changa Manga, a suburb of Kasur, who has been supporting her household expenses by rearing silkworms for many years, is a living example.

“I used to earn an income of Rs60,000 to Rs70,000 by buying silk seeds for Rs4,000. I had also received training in mushroom growing, but due to lack of practical facilities, the process could not go forward,” said Fatima. Like Fatima, thousands of families who were trained in silk production are now unemployed.

The Punjab Forest Department had launched a project worth Rs136 million in 2021 for sericulture, mushroom farming, beekeeping and cultivation of medicinal plants. In the first phase, 1,500 men and 500 women were trained, but the project was scrapped the following year. As a result, all those who had practically dreamed of starting this business were disappointed.

According to Dr Zafar Siddique, Associate Professor at Government College Lahore, 70 to 80 per cent of the world's population still uses herbal medicine. Pakistan has huge opportunities for the cultivation of plants like aloe vera, basil, kalonji, ajwain and moringa, but we are relying on imports from India to meet their demand. “If women are provided with seeds and basic training, farming can easily be started through kitchen gardening, which will improve both income and health,” said Dr Siddiqui.

Farooq Bhatti, Deputy Director of Sericulture, confirmed that his organisation was currently working only on silk making with limited funds, while only experimental projects were underway on mushrooms, honey and herbs. “Japanese mulberry has been cultivated in various districts, including Changa Manga, which is used for food for silkworms as well as for medicine and handicrafts,” revealed Bhatti.

Rana Saeed Anwar, President of the Silk Farming and Traders Association, claimed that the project was aimed at employing 100,000 families in 2021 and 2022, which was increased to one million in a phased manner. “But with the end of the directorate, this dream was left unfulfilled. Approximately, 400,000 people could be employed by beekeeping alone and 700,000 people by silk making, while 30,000 women could earn an income at the household level from the cultivation of medicinal plants,” informed Anwar.

Punjab Forest Department Director General Azfar Zia assured that the government was committed to activate the non-timber farming produce sector. “The survey of herbs and plants on 1.25 million acres of forests in Punjab has been completed. It is our aim to provide alternative employment from non-timber forest produce to the nearby communities so that people can benefit from these resources instead of cutting wood,” said Zia.

Experts agree that projects like Non-Timber Forest Produce can guarantee sustainable livelihoods for rural women and small farmers however, a systematic policy and regular funding are key requirements.