A tall veggie tale: New farming technique yields higher profits for Kabal farmers
SRSP introduced vertical vegetable farming in the tehsil last year to assist poor farmers.
KABAL:
Vegetable farmers of Kabal tehsil, Swat were initially hesitant to adopt vertical farming as a method of growing crops. However, the few who did give the technique a go have reaped high profits for their produce.
The initiative of vertical or structured farming was introduced by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) under the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund in five union councils of Kabal tehsil in 2013 to help poor farmers achieve better yield and profits.
Vertical farming is the cultivation of plant life within a high-rise greenhouse or on vertically inclined surfaces. This method gives the plant the opportunity to grow in the open air with more access to sunlight and is less susceptible to harsh weather conditions or flooding.
The lush green valley of Swat with an abundance of water and fertile land is one of the major producers of fruits and vegetables in the country. A majority of its inhabitants depend on farming as a livelihood. However, unaware of modern and scientific techniques being used in agriculture, these farmers rely on conventional farming, which many agriculture experts believe to be less productive and profitable.
Through the SRSP’s vertical farming initiative, there has been a marked increase in the income of farming families.
More tomatoes…
“When I was using traditional farming methods, I produced 1,410 kilogrammes of tomatoes on two kanals of land. But this year, I applied the vertical farming technique and produced 2,122 kgs,” said Ahmad Hussain, a farmer in Hazara village.
…More money
According to Hussain, earlier he earned a little over Rs14,000 for his product, however, the tomatoes grown using vertical farming earned him Rs49,660.
Other tomato growers found the farming technique got them a better price for their produce in the market; Rs31.8 per kg as compared to last year’s Rs16.7 per kg.
Agriculturist Latifullah said, “This year unanticipated or irregular rains caused no damage to our produce. With traditional farming, accumulated rainwater can cause immense damage to crops.”
As the produce is growing vertically i.e. away from the soil, there is also a reduced risk of disease and insect infestation, he added.
Space issues
Another benefit of vertical farming is that it allows farmers to indulge in intercropping, the practice of growing two or more crops in proximity so as to produce a greater yield on a piece of land. Several farmers were able to grow cucumber and tomato on the same field this year, while some are planning to cultivate radish and turnip.
Bitter gourd was also among the vegetables grown using structured farming in Kabal. Atbar Gul, a farmer in Koz Abakhel told The Express Tribune he was hesitant about planting the crop in his field in the beginning, but with the encouragement of agriculturists he did it on a small patch of land.
“I made such a good profit with the bitter gourd that now I have decided to grow it on my entire field next year using the new technique I’ve learnt,” said Gul.
The SRSP supported 101 farmers in implementing the new farming procedure in Kabal, but given its immense benefits and high crop yield, many others have been attracted to the method and intend to use it.
SRSP official Mohammad Irshad told The Express Tribune, “At first no farmer was willing to use the new technique but now they all come to us, asking for training and hybrid varieties of tomato, bitter gourd and other vegetables for their fields.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 4th, 2014.
Vegetable farmers of Kabal tehsil, Swat were initially hesitant to adopt vertical farming as a method of growing crops. However, the few who did give the technique a go have reaped high profits for their produce.
The initiative of vertical or structured farming was introduced by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) under the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund in five union councils of Kabal tehsil in 2013 to help poor farmers achieve better yield and profits.
Vertical farming is the cultivation of plant life within a high-rise greenhouse or on vertically inclined surfaces. This method gives the plant the opportunity to grow in the open air with more access to sunlight and is less susceptible to harsh weather conditions or flooding.
The lush green valley of Swat with an abundance of water and fertile land is one of the major producers of fruits and vegetables in the country. A majority of its inhabitants depend on farming as a livelihood. However, unaware of modern and scientific techniques being used in agriculture, these farmers rely on conventional farming, which many agriculture experts believe to be less productive and profitable.
Through the SRSP’s vertical farming initiative, there has been a marked increase in the income of farming families.
More tomatoes…
“When I was using traditional farming methods, I produced 1,410 kilogrammes of tomatoes on two kanals of land. But this year, I applied the vertical farming technique and produced 2,122 kgs,” said Ahmad Hussain, a farmer in Hazara village.
…More money
According to Hussain, earlier he earned a little over Rs14,000 for his product, however, the tomatoes grown using vertical farming earned him Rs49,660.
Other tomato growers found the farming technique got them a better price for their produce in the market; Rs31.8 per kg as compared to last year’s Rs16.7 per kg.
Agriculturist Latifullah said, “This year unanticipated or irregular rains caused no damage to our produce. With traditional farming, accumulated rainwater can cause immense damage to crops.”
As the produce is growing vertically i.e. away from the soil, there is also a reduced risk of disease and insect infestation, he added.
Space issues
Another benefit of vertical farming is that it allows farmers to indulge in intercropping, the practice of growing two or more crops in proximity so as to produce a greater yield on a piece of land. Several farmers were able to grow cucumber and tomato on the same field this year, while some are planning to cultivate radish and turnip.
Bitter gourd was also among the vegetables grown using structured farming in Kabal. Atbar Gul, a farmer in Koz Abakhel told The Express Tribune he was hesitant about planting the crop in his field in the beginning, but with the encouragement of agriculturists he did it on a small patch of land.
“I made such a good profit with the bitter gourd that now I have decided to grow it on my entire field next year using the new technique I’ve learnt,” said Gul.
The SRSP supported 101 farmers in implementing the new farming procedure in Kabal, but given its immense benefits and high crop yield, many others have been attracted to the method and intend to use it.
SRSP official Mohammad Irshad told The Express Tribune, “At first no farmer was willing to use the new technique but now they all come to us, asking for training and hybrid varieties of tomato, bitter gourd and other vegetables for their fields.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 4th, 2014.