PESHAWAR: The practice of using passive solar greenhouses by farmers to grow off-season vegetables and fruit is gaining currency in the valleys of Chitral situated at higher altitudes which remained snow-bound for four months of the extended winter season.
The farmers from the valleys of Arkari, Yarkhoon, Khot, Broghil and Garam Chashma told reporters here that the new mode of farming had set to bring about a tangible change in their lives where normal growing season is limited to two months due to the temperature approaching to zero.
Syed Bahadur Shah, Zahir Abbas, Tabrez Khan, Nasir Ahmed and others said that their household income has grown greatly as the vegetables of different kinds and the fruits of water melon and cucumber are grown round the year which they sold and consumed themselves thereby saving their money.
They said that the greenhouses were introduced in the valleys by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme under its Central Asian Poverty Programme two years ago in line with its efforts to mitigate impoverishment after which farmers are establishing their own.
They said that the arrangement has worked marvelously and is becoming popular among the farmers as it gives additional source of income to the occupants while it also engages the workforce throughout the year.
They also demanded the government to provide the facilities
of a greenhouse to the poor farmers through its agriculturist
department.
