Solar greenhouses gaining popularity in Chitral

The practice of using passive solar greenhouses by farmers to grow off-season vegetables and fruit is gaining currency in the valleys of Chitral situated at higher altitudes and which thus remain snow-bound for four months of the extended winter season. The farmers from the valleys of Arkari, Yarkhoon, Khot, Broghil and Garam Chashma told reporters here that the new mode of farming had set to bring about a tangible change in their lives where the normal growing season is limited to two months due to these low temperatures. The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme introduced greenhouses in the valleys under its Central Asian Poverty Programme two years ago to mitigate impoverishment, which have now been modelled by farmers establishing their own.