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The Northern Areas of
Pakistan |
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Our
dried fruits and nuts are produced in the great mountain ranges of Kara
Krum, Himalayans and Hindukush that joint in northern areas of Pakistan.
The total covered area of northern area is 72,000km, total population is
about one million, scattered in narrow valleys that extend to Chain in
the East, Kashmir in the South and Afghanistan in the North. The
climatic conditions are very severe, the lowest temperature in some
parts drops below -20*C and hottest is +47*C in lower areas. The area is
considered mountain desert having only 2% of the forest land limited in
one region. Land holding is small and the irrigation system is the most
difficult system i.e. by digging channels through the mountain rocks.
The average annual income is far below to national income. No job
opportunities to common men unless they go to the cities of Pakistan.
The northern area has got independence after one year of Pakistan and
has been allied with Pakistan, now administered by federal government of
Pakistan. |
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People behind the products: |
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Mr. Adam
Brett, Fair Trade partner of MF |
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Mr. Adam Brett Director of
Tropicalwhole Foods visited northern areas to assess the possibilities
of establishing a dry fruit business in the area aiming to import dry
fruits and nuts from farmers to his company in UK. Since than Mr. Adam
is committed to buy dry fruits and nuts from northern area farmers.
www.tropicalwholefoods.com
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Mr. Sher Ghazi
(checking the fruits in the corner) is
the founder and present CEO of the Mountain Fruits (pvt) limited
training farmers during the initial stages of the program. Askurdass
Nagar valley. |
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Family
members drying apricots |
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A typical family
This family head has a
son out of job, has seven grant daughters, one grant son, his old wife
and daughter in law is a school teacher make their survival drying apricots
for fairtrade. They have received fruit drying trays on interest free
credit for two years. |
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MF contact workers |
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The
workers are selected on the basis of their economic capacity.
The
most deserving ladies are engaged in season work when they are
considered physically fit to work. |
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Improved fruit drying
training by MF staff |
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Apricot Collection |
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Transportation of Apricots for drying |
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Fairtrade farmer’s
women organization |
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Ladies organizations
receiving FLO premium |
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Village activists’
receiving fair-trade premium |
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Technical consultants
working on field visit |
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Village meeting with
importers |
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Mountain Fruits
supplying trays to a village |
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