Transforming Lives | Story of Muhammad Khan, Laspur, Upper Chitral

Residing in the picturesque Laspur Valley, Upper Chitral, Muhammad Khan is among the many farmers who relied on traditional farming practices passed down through generations. However, with limited profits and inefficient use of time, Muhammad realized the need to adapt and rethink his approach.
Muhammad, his son Haider, and other community members learned about the potential of green peas-a high-demand crop that grows quickly and yields better profits. While many farmers were initially hesitant, Muhammad’s family decided to leap. Muhammad earned Rs. 77,000 rupees from just one kanal-far exceeding the combined income from barley or maize. Encouraged by this success, they expanded their cultivation to three kanals.
The Aga Khan Economic Planning Board (AKEPB) played a crucial role in this transformation by guiding farmers on modern agricultural practices, marketing strategies and connecting them to broader markets. Inspired by the success in Laspur, AKEPB is now advancing modern farming techniques across high-altitude regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, as well as interior Punjab and Sindh.
Video Credits: Aahil Pardhan, Alishah Karim, Danish Shallwanee, Humera Didar, Karim Shallwanee, Meesum Mir, Sufaila Anwar