In the lush fields of Akakhel, a village in Khyber District’s Bara Tehsil, farmer Abdul Wahab and his family are buzzing with energy as they harvest peas. Just a few years ago, their hard work barely paid the bills. But today, these humble green peas are opening doors to Gulf markets—and transforming lives.
“Last year, my peas earned me Rs. 800,000. Before, I’d struggle to make Rs. 200,000,” says Abdul, grinning. The secret? A game-changing partnership between Pakistan’s agriculture department and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Farmers here were given top-quality seeds, training in modern farming, and—most importantly—a ticket to global markets.
From “Why Bother?” to “Export More!”
It wasn’t always this way. For decades, farmers like Muhammad Tayyab grew peas on small plots, selling locally for meager prices. “We barely broke even,” he recalls. But when the FAO stepped in, everything shifted. Workshops taught farmers how to boost yields, while new tools and premium seeds turned their fields into goldmines.
Last year, Akakhel’s farmers tested the waters: 20 acres of peas were sent to Gulf countries. The result? 10,000 kilograms sold—and profits that stunned everyone. This year, they’ve tripled their ambition, planting 50 acres and aiming to ship 20,000 kilograms to Dubai, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
Women Lead the Charge
Behind the scenes, women are the backbone of this success. From planting to harvesting, they do most of the work. Now, they’re reaping the rewards too. “My earnings paid for my daughter’s school fees and my mother’s medicine,” says Fatima, a farmer’s wife. “For the first time, we’re not just surviving—we’re planning for the future.”
Traders Knock on Farmers’ Doors
The biggest surprise? Buyers now come to them. “Traders offer better prices than our local markets,” explains Fazlullah, another farmer. “No middlemen, no haggling—just fair deals.” Even crops like bitter gourd are catching Gulf buyers’ eyes, creating new income streams.
Zia-ul-Salam Dawar, Khyber’s agriculture director, calls this just the start. “We’re linking our farmers to the world,” he says. “This isn’t just about peas—it’s about dignity, growth, and showing what our communities can achieve.”
As trucks loaded with Akakhel’s peas rumble toward Gulf ports, Abdul Wahab’s children chase each other through the fields. Their father’s dream? “I want them to study, not struggle like I did. Thanks to these peas, they might actually get that chance.”
