As traditional methods falter, Balochistan’s embrace of organic farming marks a pivotal shift towards sustainable agriculture in a land besieged by resource scarcity.
Naeem Ahmed, a young farmer from Jaffarabad, Balochistan, never imagined the tables would turn so dramatically. Once mocked by his neighbour for using organic fertiliser, Ahmed now finds himself sought after for his farming methods.
At just 21 years of age, he’s part of an inspiring movement of nearly 300 farmers embracing organic farming after the devastating 2022 floods hit the mineral-rich Balochistan province.
Official figures paint a stark picture: out of Balochistan’s 34.7 million hectares, a mere 2.06 million (5.9 per cent) are cultivated, with 54pc lying fallow due to chronic water scarcity.
In a province where 90pc of the population depends on agriculture and livestock, the lack of industrial activity compounds the struggle. Despite these odds, Ahmed has completed three successful rounds of crop cultivation, which have gradually lifted him out of debt, helping him achieve financial stability.
It was during his third round of rice cultivation that Ahmed’s neighbour, who had always ridiculed the former for his use of organic fertiliser, finally took notice.
“He was laughing at me, saying I should use the chemical one because it’s tried and tested,” Ahmed recalled. Undeterred, Ahmed’s reply was simple: “Let me do my job, and you do yours.”
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