PAKISTAN – Reducing post-harvest losses through grading and market access

In Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, farming has long been a way of life, but for many years it brought limited returns. Poor post-harvest handling, lack of proper packing, and weak market access meant that a large portion of farmers’ produce never reached buyers in good condition.

The Regional Farmers Cooperative Organization (RFCO) Chitral, established in 2022, was created to change this reality. Today, the cooperative brings together 302 members—112 men and 180 women, including 105 youth—with a shared goal of improving incomes through value addition and better market access. By providing quality packing materials and strengthening links to larger markets, RFCO has helped small farmers move beyond subsistence farming toward more sustainable livelihoods.

Amirullah, a farmer from Garam Chashma and a member of the Regional Farmers Cooperative Organization (RFCO) Chitral, experienced these challenges firsthand. Before receiving any support, nearly 80% of his fruit harvest went to waste, leaving him with income from only 20% of what he produced. Without knowledge of grading and proper packing, transporting fruits to distant markets was both risky and unprofitable.

This situation changed when the Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) began working in Chitral. Through its interventions under the APFP-FO4A program, farmers like Amirullah received support in grading, packing, and linking their produce to reliable markets. The new skills allowed Amarilloh to handle his fruits more carefully, improve their quality, and prepare them for larger markets.

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.

With this support, Amirullah was able to deliver his entire harvest to the main market for the first time. Instead of losing most of his produce, he now sells nearly all of it at fair prices. As a result, his earnings increased dramatically—what once brought minimal returns now generates up to 80% profit.

For Amirullah, the change has been transformative. Reduced waste, improved quality, and access to better markets have turned farming into a viable and rewarding livelihood.