PAKISTAN – Al-Rehman Cooperative boosts farmer incomes with modern farming practices

Nestled in the picturesque Darel Valley of Diamer District, the Al-Rehman Agriculture Cooperative Society stands as a beacon of progress for local farmers.

Established in 2021-2022 under the guidance of the Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) with financial assistance from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), this cooperative has revolutionized farming in the region.

Initially enrolling 250 farmers, the cooperative operates in an area blessed with fertile soil ideal for cultivating high-value vegetables such as capsicum, peas, cucumber, and leafy greens through modern vertical farming. Before its inception, farmers relied on traditional subsistence farming, primarily cultivating maize and wheat. These crops, often transported to markets on donkeys, fetched meager prices due to limited accessibility and outdated practices.

Through the APFP FO4A program, ASF introduced transformative changes by equipping farmers with
modern farming technologies, quality inputs, and relevant materials.

The Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP) – Farmers’ Organizations for Asia (FO4A) is implemented by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC), with funding from the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program aims to strengthen the capacities of farmers’ organizations to provide economic services, advocate for enabling policies, and promote sustainable livelihoods for small-scale family farmers across Asia. APFP-FO4A is implemented in Pakistan by the ASF.

The program provided technical training, ensuring farmers could adopt innovative techniques like vertical farming and cash crop production. This support significantly enhanced household incomes, empowering farmers to shift from low-revenue cereals to high-value vegetables.

Today, the members of Al-Rehman Agriculture Cooperative are thriving. Farmers who once struggled to
earn PKR 10,000 per season from maize and wheat are now generating up to PKR 75,000 (USD 270) by cultivating cash crops on the same land. One such success story is Mati Ur Rehman, a cooperative member who earned PKR 65,000 (USD 234)* in a single season by using a vertical farming tunnel on just 90 yards of land.

The achievements of Al-Rehman Agriculture Cooperative Society showcase how modern interventions and collective efforts can transform traditional farming practices, unlocking the true potential of rural
communities and fostering sustainable development.

* $ 1= PKR. 278, December 2024