Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is known for its unique and rich culture, history, biodiversity and landscapes. The region hosts around 54 mammals and a total of 144 plant species have been found belonging to 45 families and 90 genera. The junction of three great mountain ranges, i.e., the Karakoram, the Himalayas, and the Hindu Kush, lies near the Gilgit city.
The region’s topography is diverse and encounters harsh weather realities, so it is home to unique flora and fauna. Nearly 80% of Pakistan’s flora is located in the northern mountain ranges. GB nestles over 2 million population with a growth rate of 2.47% and hardly 1 % of the land area is used for agriculture while the rest of the mountains dominate 99 % of the area.
Apricot belongs to several species in the genus Prunus. The chilling requirement of apricot is 300 to 900 hours. The preferred condition for apricots includes a dry and temperate climate. Gilgit-Baltistan experiences a dry climate which favors apricot production
In Pakistan, the total area of apricot is 42 thousand hectares with an annual production of 302 thousand tons
Apricot is GB’s great agricultural potential and its market demands are significant. Global apricot production is expanding at the rate of 2.5% per annum due to the factors like expansion of land area for apricot and increase in per hectare yield. According to a study by the Planning Commission of Pakistan, in Pakistan, the total area of apricot is 42 thousand hectares with an annual production of 302 thousand tons (Including GB).
Globally, France leads the apricot exports, and Germany is the top importer. In Gilgit-Baltistan, Apricot contributes significantly as a source of household income and ranks number two cash crops after seed potato. The average yield of apricots in GB is around 9.82 tons/hac, which is a highly encouraging number and has the potential to multiply.
Economic Transformation Initiative (ETI)-GB report suggests that Apricot from GB contributes to 41% of Pakistan’s apricot output and in GB net value of apricot production stands around PKR 5 billion
The high perishability of apricots and lack of access to the market are real challenges to apricot business hence in GB the major portion of the yields are dried on farm and sold locally and through wholesale auction in major cities of Pakistan. Economic Transformation Initiative (ETI)-GB report suggests that Apricot from GB contributes to 41% of Pakistan’s apricot output and in GB net value of apricot production stands around PKR 5 billion, which has the potential to soar up to PKR 8 billion. The report shows that about 35% of the current production is lost to wastage.
The figure shows that the key fruit yields in GB experience high losses at the production and post-harvest stages. Among fruits, 41% loss in apricot production reported over the past years. The extent of the processing and value addition in the apricot sector is limited, hence explaining the high waste rate for perishable fruits.
GB has a niche in natural and organic farming due to non-use of insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides and use of clean glacier water
ETI-GB has been engaging with 162 Village Agriculture cooperatives (VACs) and Public Private Producer Partnership (4Ps) that aims to benefit over 30,000 farmers across GB in apricot value chain. ETI GB has been training local farmers on capacity building and supporting them with essential inputs like trays, plastic crates, dehydrator, oil extracting machine, tarpaulins, packing and cracking machines across GB. The positive interventions have led to a rise in the production and value addition to apricot.
GB has a niche in natural and organic farming due to non-use of insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides and use of clean glacier water. The advanced packing gap to transport the apricot to other regions of Pakistan in dried form, whether it is juice, bars, jams, squashes, suffers limited shelf life due to lack of technology for vacuum packing. The Apricot business is therefore not able to take the products outside GB in desired numbers. Through investing and supporting in the transport and storage of perishable fruits, the boom in overall business of apricot fruit is certain.
The window to excel in the apricot market at the global stage demands the use of advanced methods and minds to dominate in business like apricot and other fruits
The challenges to value addition to apricot are high in GB, being more prone to climate hazards, backwardness in technology, infrastructure, terrain and poverty. However, supporting local farmers with essential tools and training could bridge the gap of attaining targeted yields with minimal loss.
Climate change-induced water challenges to GB are alarming and getting more intense by the time, the scarcity of water during the spring season retards apricot yields. Inclusive and Comprehensive policies in collaborations with local farmers, experts and representation of organizations like IFAD, ICIMOD, UNDP, etc., are inevitable to address the challenges and suggest the way forward. The window to excel in the apricot market at the global stage demands the use of advanced methods and minds to dominate in business like apricot and other fruits.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
