Women Produce Pickles and Juices for Income Generation
Date:
Author: Faria Salman
From mixed vegetable and mango pickles to fruit jams and seasonal juices, packaged in little plastic jars, rural women from Sindh Province, Pakistan, are entering into local business to generate income.
UN Women Pakistan in collaboration with a local partner, Strengthening Participatory Organization, trained local women who are mostly engaged in subsistence farming and other small scale activities to become entrepreneurs.
With their limited knowledge and traditional methods of food preservation, the women were introduced to modern techniques in producing edible and preservable products such as mixed vegetable and mango pickles, apple jam and mango juices. In the process they have been provided with tools, such as vegetables and fruit, gloves, aprons, knives, water, chemicals, and containers and bottles. The women have also developed skills in packaging, storing and marketing.
The women were experts in preparing pickle the traditional way; the training taught them new methods and techniques that they are now incorporating. They are able to produce a variety of vegetable pickles, jams and juices, and preserve a good quantity so they may sell them to earn extra money for their families and children’s education.
Speaking of her experience, Nusrat bibi from Dadu District narrates, "When we went to the local market to sell our home-made pickle and juices for the first time, we were amazed because the money we received in return was unexpected. It was then that we realized we can do something by ourselves and generate income."
“The women have shown great enthusiasm during the sessions. They have learned how to manufacture a variety of pickles and juices using seasonal home grown crops, and locally purchasable produces. They are now able to apply their skills and feel safe in terms of availability of food in every season,” shared Mr. Faiz Muhammad Baloch, a trainer from Sindh’s Horticulture Department.
This initiative titled, “Livelihood restoration, protection and sustainable empowerment of vulnerable peasant communities in Sindh province”, is implemented by UN Women, FAO and ILO under the UN Trust Fund for Human Security.
Testimonial - Delli Kolhi’s “Special” Pickle
Delli Kolhi is a 34-year old peasant woman from Mirpur Khas District. She lives with her husband, two daughters and three sons in a joint family system. Like other village women, she arises early morning and heads off to the local fields to help her husband Kanjee, as cultivation is their main source of living. Delli’s community faces ups and down in crop production, weather pattern changes and water availability for crops, but Delli remains optimistic.
Delli narrates: “Natural disasters and displacement over the years has affected my household income. The changing market demands meant I couldn’t sell my home-made pickles and juices anymore. My pickles were sought after - whatever went to the market was sold and this meant a lot to me. Learning a new modern technique in pickle-making, my pickles can be preserved for longer. When Kanjee sells my pickles, the money he receives gives us confidence that we can manage multiple tasks such as agriculture field work, take care of the livestock, look after the house and run our own little business. This is so inspiring and we believe that in the future we can expand our pickle production and sales. I also give credit to my mother-in-law who takes a lot of interest and helps me to attract buyers of my special pickles.”
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For more information
Please contact: Faria Salman
Strategic Management and Partnerships Officer & Communications Focal Point for UN Women Pakistan
Email: [ Click to reveal ]