Hashoo Foundation introduced a new economic development initiative in the remote areas of Gilgit-Baltistan to empower women through buckwheat farming. The project was very successful and had a very positive response from the 200 farmers beneficiaries in terms of ownership, acceptance, and impact in their local communities. Initially, Hashoo Foundation estimated a production of 10,000 kgs (22,000 lbs) from the original 1,000 kgs (2,200 lbs) of certified buckwheat seeds distributed to the women farmers for cultivation. Five months later, the actual production was 13,000 kgs (28,600 lbs). This success was a result of the women farmers’ commitment and dedication. Hashoo Foundation retained 1,200 kgs (2,640 lbs) of the buckwheat seeds collected to replicate the project in other areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and distributed the other 11,800 kgs (25,960 lbs) of buckwheat seeds to the 200 women farmers. The farmers are projected to earn an income of approximately PKRs. 2,950,000 (US $29,208) from the sale of their buckwheat yield at a rate of PKRs. 250 (US $2.27) per kg of buckwheat. This income will have an indirect impact on 1,400 of their family members. The continued expansion of the buckwheat farming to other areas in Gilgit-Baltistan could significantly contribute to alleviating the poverty of these underprivileged communities which are usually neglected and get no attention from development agencies and local governments. There is no doubt that this project will provide the women living in these remote male-dominated societies an opportunity for improving their quality of life and breaking the vicious cycle of generational poverty.

2. Contents
Project Summary .............................................................................................................................................. 2
Project Context ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Project Background .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Project Activities................................................................................................................................................ 5
Identification, Selection of Women Organisations and Local Support Organization............................... 5
Identification and Selection of Beneficiaries through WOs and LSOs ..................................................... 7
Signing of MoU between HF-MAFSO and WBGs...................................................................................... 8
Value Chain Development Training ............................................................................................................ 9
Training Methodology..............................................................................................................................11
Training Outputs.......................................................................................................................................12
Procurement.............................................................................................................................................13
Procurement of Buckwheat Seed Bags .................................................................................................13
Packaging.................................................................................................................................................13
Transport Buckwheat Seeds to Skardu Town.......................................................................................13
Distribution of Buckwheat Seed Bags....................................................................................................13
Monitoring of the Buckwheat Farms...........................................................................................................13
Buckwheat Production and Collection .......................................................................................................14
Buckwheat Farming Process Cycle ...............................................................................................................16
Sowing the buckwheat .......................................................................................................................................17
Cultivation of buckwheat....................................................................................................................................17
Cultivation of buckwheat...................................................................................................................................18
Buckwheat field at flowering stage.....................................................................................................................19
Buckwheat at stage of filling...............................................................................................................................20
Manual method of thawing ................................................................................................................................22
...........................................................................................................................................................................22
Cleaning and processing of buckwheat ..............................................................................................................23
Production of buckwheat ...................................................................................................................................23
Key Outputs......................................................................................................................................................24
Conclusion and Recommendation .................................................................................................................24
List of Annexures.............................................................................................................................................25

3. Acronyms
FGD Focus Group Discussion
GB Gilgit-Baltistan
HF Hashoo Foundation
LSO Local Support Organization
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
MAFSO Mountain Area Farmer Support Organization
MoU Memorandum of Understanding
PCSIR Pakistan Council of Science and Industrial Research
PKR Pakistani Rupee
RoG Regional Office Gilgit
UC Union Council
UNPO Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization
USA United States of America
USD United States Dollar
VCD Value Chain Development
WBGs Women Business Groups
WOs Women Organisations

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Project Summary
Project Title Women’s Empowerment through Buckwheat Farming
Project Goal
To improve the socio-economic condition of 200 women of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) through
Buckwheat Farming
Project Area
Villages of Union Councils (UCs) Tissar and Basha of Tehsil & District Shigar, Gilgit-
Baltistan (GB), Pakistan
Project Duration One (1) year - November 2016 to October 2017
Project Outcomes
• A viable community-based system institutionalized for conservation and cultivation of buckwheat
• Increased income of 200 buckwheat farmers by 30%
Key Outputs
• 200 Farmers selected, trained on buckwheat farming and Value Chain Development (VCD)
• 8 Women Organisations (WOs) selected through partner Local Support Organisations (LSOs)
• 2 Meetings conducted with selected WOs and LSOs
• 2 Awareness raising sessions conducted on buckwheat farming
• 14 Women Business Groups (WBG) formed
• 2 MoUs signed with LSOs and WOs
• 1,000 Kg (2,200 lbs) of buckwheat seed procured and distributed among farmers
• 6 Monitoring visits conducted of buckwheat farms
• 13,000 Kg (28,600 lbs) Buckwheat seed produced
• 11,800 Kgs (25,960 lbs) Buckwheat seeds distributed among the 200 women farmers for next season
cultivation
• 1,200 Kgs (2,640 lbs) retained be HF to replicate the Women Empowerment through Buckwheat Farming
project in other areas of GB
• 1,400 Indirect beneficiaries
Major Activities
• Identification, selection and mobilization of WOs
• Selection of beneficiaries through WOs and LSOs
• Formation of Women Business Groups (WBG)
• Signing of tripartite MoU between HF-WOs-LSOs
• Training on buckwheat farming and Value Chain Development (VCD).
• Procurement of buckwheat seed
• Distribution of buckwheat seed
• Buckwheat farm monitoring
• Collection of buckwheat seed from the harvest
• Harvesting, threshing and sale of buckwheat crop.
Contact
Information
Hashoo Foundation Regional Office Gilgit, Pakistan
Bulbul Jan Shams, Regional Program Advisor
Hashoo Foundation, +92 5811-458687
bjshams@hashoofoundation.org
Hashoo Foundation, USA
Cristal Montanez Baylor, Executive Director
Direct +1 (713) 483 4990
cristalmontanez@hashoofoundationusa.org

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Project Context
The project “Women Empowerment through Buckwheat Farming” in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) was
implemented in the villages of union councils (UCs) Tissar and Basha of Tehsil & District Shigar of Gilgit-
Baltistan (GB), Pakistan. Gilgit-Baltistan home to world famous mountain ranges of Karakoram, Himalay
and Hindukush in the north of Pakistan spreads over an area of 72,496 square kilometers (28,174 miles)
and is bestowed with natural resources, scenic landscape, diverse climate conditions, rich biodiversity
featuring a variety of endemic plants, crops and wildlife. Gilgit-Baltistan has an estimated population of
1.9 million1, and is divided into ten districts - Gilgit, Diamer, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizar, Astore, Skardu,
Shigar, Ganche and Karmang, with Gilgit city as the administrative center.
Buckwheat has been using as a staple food in the region. The crop is not a cereal or grain. It is the gluten-
free seed of flowering plant scientifically termed as ‘Fagopyrum Esculentum’ and is commonly found in
raw diet recipes. The seeds are triangular and known as buckwheat grouts which are used to make
gluten-free products including snacks and noodles. In the area, buckwheat farming remained in practice
in the past when the region was not accessible, and population was relying on subsistence agriculture.
However, buckwheat farming decreased significantly as locals stopped using it as a staple food when
they got access to outer the world and connected with main cities of Pakistan with the construction of
Karakoram Highway. There is an obvious lack of awareness amongst locals about its medicinal and
otherwise market values. Local availability of the quality hybrid seed that is more climate-adaptive and is
high in yield is the key impediment to the revival of this valuable crop in the area.
The people of GB have been consuming buckwheat before the adequate availability of the wheat flour in
the area. There are proven health benefits of the buckwheat. Since the production and consumption of
the crop declined, so did the health of ordinary people. Buckwheat is particularly suitable for impoverished
and badly-tilled land that can scarcely produce anything else. Mountainous and sloppy terrains of GB is
highly suitable for this crop. It is a fast-growing crop, that takes only 4-5 weeks from seed to flowering.
Consequently, suppresses weeds and prevent soil erosion due to intensive runoff. Since it matures
quickly, it escapes early autumn frost injury. It is also an excellente green manure crop and improves soil
conditions.
Currently, as per GB government’s data, a small-scale buckwheat production is reported in Districts
Hunza, Nagar, Ghizar, Skardu and Astore. However, additional interventions are needed to revive the
cultivation of buckwheat. Initiatives to promote conservation and cultivation of buckwheat are usually
made by individuals. It is time to increase the cultivation per acreage yield of this crop through
institutionalizing individual efforts under a formal intervention by the public sector players.
Application of fresh knowledge and improved farming tools/technology will help reduce labor and
decrease costs associated to post harvesting management. All this is possible only when locals have the
required knowledge and skills. Furthermore, improved variety of seed is needed to be tested in the
prevailing climate conditions along with maintaining and conserving the traditional gene pool.
GB has the potential of producing buckwheat to satisfy the market needs of the entire region. The
selected villages are suitable for buckwheat cultivation given their high altitude, semi-temperate zone,
pollution-free environment and double cropping zone.
1
Unpo.org/members/8727

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Project Background
The project “Women Empowerment through Buckwheat Farming in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)” is implemented
in Villages Marapi, Braqchan, Dafkor and Kiahong of Union Councils (UCs) Tisser and Basha of Tehsil
& District Shigar of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan. This project is funded by University of St. Thomas
Cameroon School of Business Social Entrepreneur Program (SEP), facilitated by Hashoo Foundation
USA, and implemented by Hashoo Foundation (HF). The project started on November 1, 2016 and will
end on October 30, 2017.
The key objective of this project was the economic and the social empowerment of women through
reviving cultivation and conserving buckwheat. The total primary beneficiaries of the project were 200-
direct women farmers and their 1,400 family members in the far-flung and distant villages of District
Shigar, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). These 200 women farmers formed 14 Women Business Groups under the
supervision of Hashoo Foundation (HF) and implementing partner Mountain Area Farmer Support
Organization (MAFSO). A tripartite MoU was signed between Hashoo Foundation, Women Business
Groups and Mountain Area Farmer Support Organization (MASFO) clarifying their roles and
responsibilities.
The implementing partner Mountain Area Farmer Support Organization (MAFSO) was actively involved
in the field activities and provided technical support and supervision to Women Business Groups in the
successful implementation of the project. Likewise, to provide a better understanding of the buckwheat’s
economical and nutritional benefits, a value chain training was provided to the women farmers in their
respective union councils. The training was planned to inform women farmers about the market demands
of the buckwheat seeds and its finished products. Hashoo Foundation Regional Office Gilgit (ROG) timely

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monitored the field activities through planned follow-up visits to ensure proper documentation of the
project activities, success stories and the concerns that farmers experienced during the project.
Project Activities
Identification, Selection of Women Organisations and Local Support Organization
HF has involved local support organisations (LSO), a grass root community owned and driven
organization, to help with the community mobilization and to implement the project to get the community
to buy-in thus ensuring sustainability in the long term. The project started with the community mobilization,
identification of beneficiaires, and coordination with local implementing partner. On November 11, 2016,
HF regional office team visited District and Tehsil Shigar, Baltistan, for the identification and mobilization
of the potential implementing partners and community-based farmers/women organizations. HF
partnered with Mountain Area Farmer Support Organization (MAFSO) for its community rapport and
outreach.
Based on the initial coordination meetings with targeted beneficiaires the following two points were
agreed:
Figure 1 Hashoo Foundation Regional advisor meeting with implementation partner MAFSO

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Figure 2 HF team and community notable from selected UCs
1. To ensure the registration of the most deserving farmers for buckwheat farming from the target
UCs.
2. To ensure selection of women beneficiaries from the existing Women’s Organizations or from
Women’s Business Groups.
Initially, the proposed UC in the proposal were UC Maraphi and Markunja of Shigar. However, the field
visit findings of HF officials qualified UCs Tissar and Basha for better project outputs. Thus, UCs Basha
and Tissar were selected instead. The major reasons for the selection of UCs Tissar and Basha were:
• Exemplary results of HF’s 2016 buckwheat pilot project. For each kg of buckwheat seed the yield
was 6 kg. About 60% of the seed was purchased by implementing partner from the farmers on
behalf of the HF for future farming in Gilgit.
• The area is very underdeveloped and far away from the district headquarters. Buckwheat farming
can significantly improve food security of the resident communities.
• The farmers have been growing buckwheat and possessed very good knowledge of farming
practices. HF’s support and inputs would be very helpful to enhance the productivity.
• The farmers’ society particularly women were highly mobilized and willing to farm buckwheat in
their fields to increase their income.

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• The community had genuine need of available sources of income and livelihood, thus making
buckwheat farming a viable option to fulfill community needs.
The soil fertility and texture of the high-altitude areas are suitable for buckwheat as compare to lower
altitude areas which are usually sandy with low nutrients. Therefore, chemical fertilizers are not used for
buckwheat cultivation in high-altitude areas.
Identification and Selection of Beneficiaries through WOs and LSOs
HF regional office team conducted initial an dialogue with the local implementing partner Mountain Area
Farmer Support Organization (MAFSO) to identify and select 200 potential women farmers. MAFSO has
a presence in all the villages of UC Tissar and Basha, a community organization stemmed out of the
community needs. In a meeting between HF and MAFSO, it was decided to conduct a detailed survey of
the catchment area to identify the target beneficiaries. HF team designed2
a registration form which was
used by HF and MAFSO team to identify and register 200 potential women farmers3
. MAFSO and HF
teams formed fourteen (14) Women Business Groups4
(WBGs).
Beneficiaries were selected based on the following criteria:
• Low income status.
• Adequate and enough land for buckwheat cultivation owned by the targeted beneficiaries.
2
Specimen attached as Annex-1
3
List attached as Annex-2
4
Attached as Annex-2
Figure 3 Hardworking women performing farming activities

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Signing of MoU between HF-MAFSO and WBGs
After the identification of beneficiaries and formation of WBGs, HF and partners devised roles and
responsibilities of the stakeholders for the smooth implementation and completion of the project. All the
partners agreed to sign MoU, the key provisions of the MoU:
• WBGs to work under direct supervision of MAFSO.
• MAFSO to devise seeds distribution plans.
• MAFSO to ensure branding and visibility of HF and Cameron School of Business, the University
of St. Thomas.
• Project baseline survey to be conducted by MAFSO.
• MAFSO to impart value chain development training to the beneficiaries.
• MAFSO to play a key role in the sustainability of the project.
Figure 4: Meeting of HF team selected women on MoU signing
Approximately, 149 members of WBGs attended the MoU5
signing between Hashoo Foundation and
MAFSO. Around 29 members of WBGs hailing from small villages, participated in the the meeting.
5
MoU document attached as Annex-3

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Before the MoU signing, WBGs were debriefed on the roles and responsibilities of HF, MASFO, and
WBGs. The members expressed their agreement on the terms and conditions of HF, MAFSO, and WBGs;
and members queries were addressed during the meeting. HF and MAFSO committed to providing
harvesting and processing machines in the future if WBGs continue to implement the project successfully
and produce more than 100,000 kgs of seeds.
Figure 5 Briefing to the WBGs on rules and responsibilities of MAFSO
Value Chain Development Training
Usually, women farmers follow the primitive farming methods that are highly laborious and time-
consuming. The traditional methods also affect productivity and quality. The products are often found
contaminated with sand particles, animal dung and plant twigs reducing their market value. Such low-
quality seeds are harmful to health. Thus, a value chain training was designed for the farmers’ skills
enhancement and replace new buckwheat certified seed variety with the old varieties. The most
experienced technical persons from the government departments were invited to enhance the
effectiveness of the training program. The training was conducted in four parts, two of the parts were
conducted in the presence of HF’s M&E team.

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During the training, HF team motivated the women participants and empowered them through knowledge
and skills. They introduced the theme of buckwheat project and the role of HF in Gilgit- Baltistan in
empowering women. Participating women showed a lot of interest in the session and asked insightful
questions and appreciated HF Gilgit team for its development efforts in the area.
The experts from government agriculture department shared the importance of buckwheat farming. They
informed that the initiatives would provide food, improve health, and would also conserve the biodiversity
in the project target areas. They also shared that buckwheat based healthy honey could also be produced
at commercial scale if farmers adapted buckwheat farming at the commercial scale. The participants
were informed that mountain farmers of GB in Pakistan should start buckwheat cultivation at commercial
scale to meet demands at the national level. Buckwheat is a healthy food and could have a good market
value due to basic consideration of every health-conscious person. It was also discussed that China,
Japan, and Canada were growing buckwheat at large scale and the whole production was consumed
within their own countries.
It was suggested during the training that buckwheat project could be extended to other regions of GB to
support more communities. The farmers expressed their desire for future participation considering
Hashoo Foundation would help them in providing the equipment for increasing the overall production of
buckwheat.
Figure 6 Value Chain Development Training

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The experts also presented detailed information on market niche and demand status of buckwheat in
the national and international markets. The participants were oriented on different business opportunities.
The experts also informed them of a variety of buckwheat food items.
The participants received knowledge and information on buckwheat processing, packaging and
marketing; and advice on how to produce quality products to get high returns for their hard work. The
participating farmers recommended the creation of a well-equipped women farmer resource center at
UC. The center would be a hygienic quality control center for product processing in the area. Such
facility would provide a safe working environment for the women to run their business on a sustainable
basis in the future.
Training Methodology
The facilitators used participatory methods and tools for the teaching that enabled trainees to learn new
things, shared their experiences and asked related questions.The trainees asked questions about
cultivation, harvesting, buckwheat diseases and their treatment.
The session was in the month of Ramadan, and the trainees were fasting. Despite the warm weather and
fasting, trainees demonstrated a high level of commitment and attended 3 hours long session with keen
interest. At end of each session, the trainee farmers were provided with buckwheat seed.
As per the traditions and norms of the community, training sessions were conducted in an open space
and all the women were very motivated throughout the session. This clearly indicates women’s keen
Figure 7 Local agriculture expert delivering training on buckwheat

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interest in the socio-economic sphere of life and it is very encouraging early symptom of wider women
role in the socio-economic affairs in the future.
The training was conducted by a team of senior officials from the Department of Agriculture and was very
productive for trainees as well as for the HF’s team.
The involvement of government officials as training providers offers opportunities for a mutually beneficial
collaboration in the future as HF will be able to benefit from their technical expertise in the implementation
of such projects.
Training Outputs
The training was very successful regarding achieving its objectives, i.e. trainees acquired the necessary
skills for cultivation, harvesting, and processing. They also learned how to safeguard their buckwheat
plants from insects and different diseases. However, following are some of the areas of improvement:
Due to the spread of beneficiaries across the region, the value chain training was organized at different
locations to ensure women’s ease of participation. At the end of the value chain development training, a
ceremony was organized, and the trainees were provided with a bag of 5 kgs (11 lbs) each of buckwheat
seeds.
Figure 4 Buckwheat farming and value chain training

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Procurement and Distribution of Buckwheat Seeds
Procurement
In November 2016, 1,000 kgs (2,200 lbs) of buckwheat seed were procured by HF regional Office Gilgit
and stored in HF office to be distributed to farmers in Shigar valley of Baltistan region for the upcoming
cultivation season.
Procurement of Buckwheat Seed Bags
Special 5 kgs (11 lbs) bags with the Hashoo Foundation and the University of St. Thomas Houston logos
and slogan were procured and printed.
Packaging
The packaging of buckwheat seed was made at a ratio of 5 kgs (11 lbs) buckwheat/bag. A bulk of 200
bags were prepared to deliver to 200 farmers members of the buckwheat Women Business Groups.
Transport Buckwheat Seeds to Skardu Town
After packaging, the buckwheat seed bags were transported from Gilgit to Skardu town where the focal
person of Hashoo Foundation’s implementing partner MAFSO collected the consignment.
Distribution of Buckwheat Seed Bags
The buckwheat bags were distributed in the presence of Hashoo Foundation team to 200 members of
14 WBGs. The seed distribution activity was carried out after the value chain training. On seeds
distribution, Deputy Director and the Scientific Officer of the Department of Agriculture of the government
of Gilgit-Baltistan were also present.
Compilation of Booklet on Buckwheat
Mountain Area Farmer Support Organization (MAFSO) compiled a precise but well-detailed booklet6
with
the technical support of Hashoo Foundation (HF) in Urdu language. The booklet provides following
details:
1. Introduction to buckwheat plant.
2. Ecological and economic value of buckwheat.
3. Buckwheat farming.
4. Crop prevention from harmful insects.
5. Nutritional and health benefits (Buckwheat: gluten-free food, contains vitamin P, fagopiretol, rutin,
ferrous, zink, silicon, and lysine).
6. Use of buckwheat in traditional dishes (pancake, bread, cereals, porridges, pasta, kisser, prapo and
marzan).
1,000 printed copies of booklets were published, and 200 copies were distributed among the women
farmers. The remaining booklets were distributed to relevant stakeholders including officials from the
Department of Agriculture and other interested farmers.
Monitoring of the Buckwheat Farms
Monitoring visits were made to project area to oversee the progress and processes undertaken by the
farmers. The visit paid attention to the challenges faced by the farmers during the implementation of the
project based on the knowledge they acquired at the training. The monitoring visits were also aimed to
6
Attached as Annex-6

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analyze the project outputs and to understand what were the overall factors affecting the farming and
crop. Some of the key findings were:
Implementing partner, MAFSO held a good reputation in the region, and there were strict check and
balance on the quality of work and processes.
1. Farmers mobilization meetings’ attendance sheets and minutes of meetings between HF and
MAFSO were checked and verified.
2. Attendance sheets were checked and verified as per the tripartite MoU signed between HF,
MAFSO, and WBGs.
3. Awareness sessions on buckwheat farming were helpful in learning new techniques, processes,
and methods of buckwheat cultivation.
The crops in the field were physically checked to ensure farmers had properly planted the buckwheat
seed, timely provision of water and
compost. As the plants grew, the fields
were adequately protected from the
grazing cattle. It is pertinent to mention
that the amount of grains produced from
the seeds provided by Hashoo
Foundation were more than the
traditional method standing at the ratio of
20:30. HF’s M&E
team undertook visits, held meetings
and conducted Focus Group Discussion
(FGDs) with WBGs in Village Molto and
Gabkhor of UCs Tissar. Twelve (12
members) of the WBGs participated in
the FGD. These are the key findings of
the discussion conducted with the
members of WBGs:
1. The project was first of its kind that focused women exclusively and aimed at their economic
empowerment.
2. The local women had the opportunity to participate in the training on buckwheat farming and value
chain development.
3. The project revitalized the cultivation of buckwheat which was almost on the verge of extinction
due to lack of awareness and availability of other options.
4. Religious leaders’ influence in the project area was too prominent which caused some hurdles for
MAFSO in mobilization.
5. Follow-up visits were the most important part of value chain development training that ensured
women had access to support and guidance.
6. Provisions of learning material kits to the WBGs by the implementing partner was beneficial in the
timely transfer of knowledge to further use during the farming practices.
Buckwheat Production and Collection
The yield of buckwheat crop under the project stood at 13,000 kgs against the target of 10,000 kgs. The
current retail price of buckwheat seed per kg is $ 2.27 (PKRs. 250) in the market.
Figure 5Monitoring visit to buckwheat field

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Buckwheat Seeds Distribution and Collection Info:
1. Distribution of Seeds
• Each farmer received 5kg (11 lbs) buckwheat seeds
• A total of 1,000 kgs (2,200 lbs) of buckwheat seeds were distributed to 200 women farmers
2. Total Yield Produced
• An average of 65 kgs (143 lbs) buckwheat seeds produced per farmer
• Total yield of 13,000 kgs of buckwheat produced by 200 farmers
3. Total Yield Collection by HF
• 1,200 kgs (2,640 lbs) of the 13,000 kgs (28,600 lbs) of buckwheat seeds recollected by HF
will be used to replicate the Women Empowerment through Buckwheat Farming project in
other areas of GB
• 11,800 kgs (25,960 lbs) of buckwheat seeds distributed among the 200 women farmers
beneficiaries
• Selling rate per kg of buckwheat is PKRs. 250 ($ 2.27)
• Beneficiaries will earn a sustainable income from the sale of buckwheat
• Beneficiaries are projected to earn approximately PKRs. 2,950,000 ($29,208) income from
their buckwheat yield.
Ms. Ayesha Khan, Country Director Hashoo
Foundation visited the buckwheat project area,
and met with government representatives of
Baltistan agriculture department, Pakistan Council
of Science and Industry Research (PCSIR) and
representative of Women Business Groups.
During the meetings with the government officials,
Ms. Khan shared her vision of agriculture
development by engaging women in income
generating opportunities to enable them to earn a
livelihood and help their families. The government
officials showed their interest in working jointly on
such projects and replicate a successful model to
other parts of the Baltistan which have an agrarian
potential to grow buckwheat.

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Buckwheat Farming Process Cycle
Buckwheat
Production
Buckwheat
Sowing
Cultivationof
Bcukwheat
Buckwheat
field at
flowering
stage
Buckwheat
field post
flowering
stage
Buckwheat at
filling stage
Bcukwheat
ready to
harvest
Bcukwhet
harvesting
Buckwheat
drying
Buckwheat
thawing

19. 17 | P a g e
Sowing the buckwheat
Cultivation of buckwheat

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Cultivation of buckwheat

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Buckwheat field at flowering stage
Buckwheat ready to harvest

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Buckwheat at stage of filling

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Farmers busy with harvesting of buckwheat

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Freshly harvested buckwheat left for drying
Manual method of thawing

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Cleaning and processing of buckwheat
Production of buckwheat

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Key Outputs
• 200 Farmers selected, trained on buckwheat farming and Value Chain Development (VCD)
• 8 Women Organisations (WOs) selected through partner Local Support Organisations (LSOs)
• 2 Meetings conducted with selected WOs and LSOs
• 2 Awareness raising sessions conducted on buckwheat farming
• 14 Women Business Groups (WBG) formed
• 2 MoUs signed with LSOs and WOs
• 1,000 Kg (2,200 lbs) of buckwheat seed procured and distributed among farmers
• 6 Monitoring visits conducted of buckwheat farms
• 13,000 Kg (28,600 lbs) Buckwheat seed produced
• 11,800 Kgs (25,960 lbs) Buckwheat seeds distributed among the 200 women farmers for next season
cultivation
• 1,200 Kgs (2,640 lbs) retained be HF to replicate the Women Empowerment through Buckwheat
Farming project in other areas of GB
• 1,400 Indirect beneficiaries
• Beneficiaries are projected to earn an income of approximately PKRs. 2,950,000 ($29,208) from the
sale of their buckwheat yield
Conclusion and Recommendation
The project was an endeavor of Hashoo Foundation (HF), facilitated by Hashoo Foundation USA with
the support of University of St. Thomas Cameroon School of Business Social Entrepreneur Program
(SEP) to help alleviate the poverty of underprivileged communities, which otherwise are neglected and
get no attention from development agencies and local governments. As a result of these socio-economic
conditions, these communities remain in the vicious circle of poverty for the generations. Women living
these remote male-dominated societies have fewer opportunities for improving their quality of life.
The Women Empowerment through Buckwheat Farming project was very successful and had a
tremendously positive response from the farmers and the local community in terms of its ownership,
acceptance, desired results and its long-term impacts on the farming which would be seen in a couple of
years to come.
Hashoo Foundation (HF) estimated a production of 28,600 lbs (13,000 kgs) from 2,200 lbs (1,000 kgs)
buckwheat seeds. However, the actual production was 13,000 kgs (28,600 lbs). This success was a
result of the women farmers’ commitment and dedication. This project had a tremendous impact in the
community and particularly on the 200 women farmers and their families. Some of the successes and
recommendation based on the learning of the project are:
1. There is considerable scope for the revival indigenous buckwheat crop. The crop was almost extinct
and replaced by other cash crops like potatoes, maize, peas, and wheat, etc. Now, through the HF's
Women Empowerment through Buckwheat Farming project women are aware of its nutritional and
economic value, and, they possess the knowledge to continue its cultivation in the future.
2. The project was implemented in the remotest area of Gilgit-Baltistan, despite geographical, social
and cultural constraints the women of the regions were highly mobilized and motivated to participate
in this economic development project.

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3. The project had a very profound impact on the economic empowerment of the women thus providing
them more say in the household affairs and decision making.
4. The women farmers’ expectations were very high that Hashoo Foundation (HF) with the help of
donor agency would extend its technical and financial support in the future. They are expecting the
expansion of the project through more inputs. They also hope that Hashoo Foundation (HF) and
donor agency will help them in establishing a processing and packaging unit to sell their product in
the high-end markets.
5. The farmers are also optimistic that Hashoo Foundation (HF) may connect them to local, national
and international market.
List of Annexures
- Annexure I- Registration Form
- Annexure II- List of selected 200 farmers with Detail of WBGs
- Annexure III- Copy of MoU Document
- Annexure IV- Buckwheat Booklet

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