Rehabilitation, Expansion, and Strengthening of Agriculture Research Center (ARS) in District Chitral

  • Project Timeline:

    January 2021- December 2024

  • Budget:

    PKR 358 million

  • Area of Implementation:

    Lower Chitral

  • Sector:

    Agriculture

Funded By:
PATRIP

Project Brief

The project aimed to transform ARS Chitral into a people centered agricultural research, training, and extension hub capable of serving border communities and facilitating cross-border knowledge exchange. The intervention combined critical infrastructure upgrades with extensive capacity-building and farmer-focused training programs.

Objective

To strengthen ARS Chitral as a functional and accessible research and training centre that supports improved agricultural productivity, climate-smart practices, and sustainable livelihoods for border and remote communities.

Summary of Achievements

Infrastructure and Facility Upgrades:

  • Rehabilitation and upgrading of the main ARS building and warehouse.
  • Construction and improvement of a screen house and irrigation channel.
  • Implementation of protection works to safeguard facilities from environmental risks.
  • Provision of furniture, laboratory equipment, and essential operational assets, enhancing research and training capacity.

Capacity Building and Technical Training:

Delivery of comprehensive trainings for farmers and community members on:

  • Improved crop production
  • Livestock management
  • Apiculture (beekeeping)
  • Trout farming
  • Mushroom cultivation
  • Food processing and value addition
  • Climate-smart agriculture practices
  • Community-Based Organization (CBO) planning and management

Impact

The project successfully revitalized ARS Chitral as a fully functional research and training institution serving border communities of Chitral. Enhanced infrastructure and diversified technical trainings improved farmers’ access to modern, climate-resilient agricultural practices and livelihood opportunities. The strengthened ARS now plays a key role in supporting local farmers, promoting innovation, and enabling cross-border knowledge exchange—contributing to sustainable agriculture and socio-economic resilience in the region.

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