A Seminar Held at The University of Agriculture Peshawar Focuses on Strategies for Developing Inclusive & Competitive Pulses Value Chains in Pakistan.
The Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, successfully hosted a seminar and focus group discussion today as part of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)-funded project titled
“Developing Inclusive & Competitive Pulses Value Chains in Pakistan”.
Since its inception in 2020, this project has made significant strides in addressing the challenges of the pulses sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and beyond, with a focus on boosting production, reducing post-harvest losses, and fostering sustainable value chains.
The seminar was organized with the approval of worthy Vice Chancellor of The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Prof. Dr. Jehan Bakht. The central theme of the seminar was to reflect the critical role of pulses in ensuring food security and reducing Pakistan’s dependency on imports. Pakistan currently imports pulses worth over USD 1 billion annually, a burden that can be alleviated by minimizing post-harvest losses and promoting the cultivation of high-quality seeds.
Dean of the Faculty of Rural Social Sciences (FRSS), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zafarullah, highlighted the need to focus on minor crops such as chickpeas, which hold immense potential for enhancing farmers’ incomes and improving food security. It was noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ranks among the most food-insecure provinces in Pakistan, underscoring the importance of prioritizing these crops to achieve agricultural sustainability.
The project significant milestones were highlighted by Project Director who is an Associate Professor Dr. Khuram Nawaz Sadozai. He shared key achievements of the project, including the completion of a Baseline Survey, Value Chain Development of Pulses, Walking the Chains activities, Delphi Surveys, and capacity-building initiatives. He highlighted the role of ACIAR project in improving chickpea cultivation practices, reducing postharvest losses, strengthening the value chains of chickpea and ensuring better market linkages for pulses growers. Moreover, Dr. Hasina Gul, Dy. Director Research, also shared her research insight and emphasized to encourage the role of female farmers in pulses cultivation to enhance the livelihood opportunities for rural community.
The seminar also saw active participation from small-scale farmers of Karak, who shared their experiences and challenges in cultivating pulses. Their valuable input emphasized the importance of empowering smallholder farmers through targeted interventions and capacity-building efforts.
This seminar was organized under ACIAR funded Project in collaboration with The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, The University of Queensland Australia, Agriculture University Faisalabad, and Mian Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan, the seminar brought together Research Officers, Agriculture Officers, Agricultural Experts, University Faculty, Processors, and progressive pulses Farmers from across KP.
Key discussions revolved around reducing post-harvest losses, cultivating high-quality seeds, and leveraging advanced techniques to strengthen the competitiveness of Pakistan’s pulses sector. The event concluded with a collective resolve to prioritize food security and transform minor crops into major contributors to the agricultural economy.
