Livelihood of Rural PeoplePaperback, 10 August 2011

The study was conducted in Kalash valley of district Chitral in June and July 2010. The present study attempts to assess the contribution of NTFPs to income and employment by ensuring food and livelihood security for the rural economy in the Kalash valley district Chitral. This study estimates the contribution to income and employment, total production and total income from NTFP's collections. The total production of NTFP's were recorded 21566 Kg which gives total income of 1843380 Pak Rs. There is lack of market availability and only 20% of the respondents were having access to market and 80% were deprived from this.The main problems faced by the kalash valley include lack of infrastructure, lack of government interest, and the middle man has greatly contributed in deprivation of benefits to the producers and collectors. In order to overcome these problems, an efficient distribution of existing benefits through proper institutional mechanisms is needed. In addition, processing activities have to be encouraged through trainings and skill development and to promote sustainable income and employment throughout the year.