FAO, NHCR Join Hands On Integrated Homestead Gardening In Balochistan
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published September 19, 2018 | 06:36 PM
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are working together in district Chagai, Balochistan for introducing homestead gardens to Afghan refugees.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2018 ) :United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are working together in district Chagai, Balochistan for introducing homestead gardens to Afghan refugees.
This collaboration will enable refugees to establish kitchen gardens which will provide them opportunities to engage in economic activities and eventually improve food security and nutrition for their families, said a press release.
Highlighting the importance of this collaboration, Min� Dowlatchahi said: "FAO looks forward to working with UNHCR for contributing to efforts aimed at improving food security and nutrition and stimulating income generation for the refugees and their families. As part of One UN family in Pakistan, we stand determined to play our role in making a difference in the lives of vulnerable communities through this collaboration with UNHCR." Filippo Grandi , High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR appreciated the collaboration between UNHCR and FAO to help build sustainable livelihoods for Afghan refugees.
FAO will advise UNHCR on enabling afghan refugees to establish kitchen gardens in the districts, including the provision of tools, seed, irrigation kits and other essential inputs. FAO will also link UNHCR beneficiaries with the trained Government facilitators in the district. Training on enterprise and agri business development for UNHCR districts will also be conducted. Marin Din Kajdomcaj, UNHRC Head of Mission in Balochistan said that this was just the beginning of the cooperation between FAO and UNHCR and that organizations were obliged to jointly mobilize funds for follow up activities for Afghan refugees in the districts. He emphasised that the skills learnt during this training would not only be utilized by refugees in Pakistan but will also be helpful in restoring their livelihoods upon return to their homes.
In this connection, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with UNHCR also organized 5-days training on integrated homestead gardening at the FAO model vegetable kitchen garden in the Balochistan Agricultural Research and Development Centre (BARDC), Quetta.
As many as 40 men and women from FAO, district community facilitators, government of Balochistan and UNHCR staff and their implementing partner in Chagai were trained on various aspects of vegetable production including seed selection and production; seed bed preparation; sowing, irrigation, mulching; integrated pest and diseases management; fertilizer application; nutritional aspects of vegetables and fruits; harvesting and processing as well as the economic aspects of vegetable production.
Within the framework of the Australian Government funded Australia Balochistan Agri Business Programme (AusABBA) FAO establishes vegetable kitchen gardens in 6 districts in South West Balochistan. Fruits and vegetables are produced, poultry and goats are raised and honey is also produced on a small scale at these kitchen gardens.
Adopting a Farmer Field school (FFS) approach on the establishment and operation of these gardens FAO equips women with knowledge and skills to maintain their own gardens back home in their districts.
Integrated Homestead Gardening is instrumental in increasing rural production and consumption of vegetables and fruits and to enhance the nutritional status of mothers and children in the villages. A marketable surplus as a result of these activities helps generate income for the women.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Pakistan, UK discuss collaboration in education sector
2 hours ago -
PMD forecast rain-windstorm/thunderstorm for various parts of country
3 hours ago -
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
3 hours ago -
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
3 hours ago -
Earthquake jolts Karachi
4 hours ago -
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
4 hours ago
-
Police book youngster for abusing student for one year
4 hours ago -
Police arrest 23 suspects, recover stolen money, phones
4 hours ago -
Colorful cultural festival concludes at NUML
4 hours ago -
Immunization awareness week kicks off in Balochistan
4 hours ago -
Ministers visit Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital following roof collapse incident
4 hours ago -
IHC serves notices in petition against 'roti' price fixation
4 hours ago