Pakistan China chilli project doubles farmers’ income, creating employment opportunities in farming especially for women.
Chili growers in Lodhran and Layyah districts of Punjab are seeing increased incomes after partnering with the Chinese company LTEC.
Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative, red chili contract farming has stabilized the local market by providing guaranteed income for farmers. This collaboration has also created thousands of farming jobs, especially for women, in rural areas of Sindh and Punjab.
Farmers’ experiences
Irshad Hussain, a University of Agriculture, Faisalabad graduate, shared in a report that he began growing chilies in 2017 but struggled to cover production costs until partnering with LTEC in 2023. He initially secured a contract for 100 acres but expanded to 115 acres due to increased local demand following the China-Pakistan chili project.
Hussain noted that the Chinese chili seeds produced higher yields and fetched better prices in the local market due to their superior quality. He highlighted that farmers’ incomes have doubled as a result.
“Even as an agriculturist, I learned a lot from the Chinese experts, so you can imagine the benefits for ordinary farmers,” Hussain said.
Malik Masood ul Haq cultivated 25 acres for LTEC in 2023 and has expanded to 85 acres in Lodhran, Punjab, with plans to reach 100 acres next year. He mentioned that his relatives and other villagers are also considering partnerships with LTEC. He praised the quality of both red and green Chinese chili seeds.
Sher Afghan Khan, a red chili farmer in Layyah, Punjab, employed 200 women on his 14-acre farm. He noted that larger farms of 100 acres or more have created jobs for thousands of local women.
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