Agricultural Programs

ARC launched a 2-year initiative that helped 62,000 people rebuild the lives through agriculture.  ARC distributed 2,500 goats, as well as high-yield seed-corn and fertilizer to 9,000 farmers to help them regain their livelihoods.  ARC worked with local farmers to explore off-season vegetable cultivation and marketing programs. ARC has distributed complete seed packages of maize to 3,000 families. Since ARC was the only NGO who distributed their seeds on time, all our beneficiaries were able to harvest their first maize crops in September. ARC introduced improved sowing techniques through agriculture awareness trainings on Maize crops for 3,000 families, 25 kitchen gardening workshops and agriculture awareness workshops (Wheat) for 5,000 families. Therefore, for the first time in the history of AJK, farmers used line sowing rather then traditional broadcast sowing methods on large scale.  By encouraging the local community to adopt improved practices, the ARC Social Mobilization team ensures the community reaps maximum production from the distributed seeds.

Moreover, ARC took lead in initiating the off-season vegetable cultivation by providing vegetable seeds and horticulture tools to 3,000 families. To ensure that the intervention is continued, ARC distributed 37.5 MT Maize seed, 125 MT Wheat seed, vegetable seeds, and fertilizers (200 MT urea and 200 MT DAP) to 3,000 to 5,000 beneficiaries. Through this activity, ARC enabled over 3,000 families to save or earn at least Rs. 30 per day per family. The project has successfully been completed benefiting the population of its catchments. A post harvest survey was conducted in order to assess the total agriculture revitalization in the area.