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Figs grow in the wild in abundance right across the upland northern regions of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir where, for a variety of reasons, the indigenous communities and the shrinking number of subsistence farmers blindly overlook a fruit which could, if handled properly, go a long way towards their nutritional and economic salvation. These farmers are still fighting against many odds, managing to eke out a bare existence on ever-shrinking land parcels which, as they are repeatedly inherited and sub-divided, are basically no longer a viable agricultural proposition.
Packed full of vitamins, minerals and other health-giving nutrients, wild figs, irrespective of them being smaller in size than their cultivate cousins in other parts of the world, are a seriously marketable commodity in their fresh, dried or processed form and it is difficult to understand why no one has yet taken up their harvesting and marketing on a commercial basis. A fig-based industry — which could consist of turning them in to highly desirable jams, jellies and other such condiments — would be of great financial benefit to all concerned. Even though the fresh fruit is only available for harvesting in the three to four-month summer to autumn transition period, fig-based ventures still make commercial sense. Any small, localised processing units set up could extend their operating period by taking onboard the processing of other seasonal, orchard-grown fruits along with this one.
NGOs operating throughout these localities could also take up the sensible step of training village and mountain women in the simple art of hygienic jam-making. In areas where fruit cannot be naturally sundried — owing to the high humidity and rainfall of the summer monsoon — the women could be introduced to solar fruit drying as a way of both subsidising household food requirements and of earning an otherwise unattainable income. It is perplexing that no one has yet exhibited the common sense to instigate such sensible programmes instead of the perpetual ‘sew and embroider’ scenario.
With the climate change forecast set to wreak havoc on agriculture throughout the country in the very near future, all avenues of food production for an ever-expanding population must be given serious consideration and the sustainable harvesting of wild food — figs being a prime example — should be given attention. After all, the adverse effects of weather change are already being experienced by commercial growers in most regions of the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2013.
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COMMENTS (5)
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One gets the impression that the reaers are puzzled with the Fig fruit. hy fellows, the Fig fruit is famous because it is consiered as the fruit of Paradise. It grows in different sizes and in several varieties. In our garden we have a number of trees, some are of large size slightly bigger than an egg with green colour and others of smaller size in light ble colour. We eat them in september when they are ripe and make a jam from them which we cannot eat and also give them to our neighbours. They grow comfotably in hot temperature mediteranian countries as well as in cold climates with temperators below 40 degrees centigrade.
Rex Minor
Figs are great but you have to harvest when they are ripe and the individual fruits don't all ripe at the same time - as such you have to check out the trees each day and hope to get some figs before the birds, squirrels and other critters beat you to it. In my yard I would guess the critters damage at least 70% of the crop.
If the poor local residents are so lazy not to pick the freely available fruits then they would always remain poor, NGO or not. In Western countries where the growing season is much shorter people living in apartments grow vegetables and herbs in containers on their patio and balcony. God helps those who help themselves.
Aren't those 'disputed' fruits ?
is it the fruit of GULAR OR BURGAAT tree that you are talking about, if yes remind me of my grant parents house when i was young use to eat that thing, sweet and delicious, and another one was fruit of NEAM tree, good old days...............