Meeting Shazia and Saleema makes one realize the far reaching effects that professional training can have on anyone’s quality of life.

Shazia and Saleema are two women farmers who travelled to Islamabad from village Qambrani and Sraghurgai with United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Balochistan team to narrate their experiences after training received by FAO project.

They participated in the round table that was organized in Islamabad on 27 April to seek suggestions and recommendations for the best way forward in developing the wool sector in Balochistan.

Food And Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with the federal and Balochistan governments is preparing for an integrated wool sector development program.
The round table conference was well attended by representatives of the provincial and federal governments, aid agencies and the private sector.
Dr. Hashim Khan Populzai, Additional Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research opened the conference and highlighted the importance of wool in developing the rural economy of Balochistan.

Patrick T. Evans, FAO Representative to Pakistan informed the participants that wool has a high potential for development in Balochistan and how this important resource can be used to improve livelihoods of rural farmers including women. He invited the participants to make practical recommendations for development of the wool value chain in Balochistan.

Mr. Siddique Mandokhel, Secretary Livestock, Balochistan highlighted some of the problems faced by the livestock sector in Balochistan especially in marketing and getting fair prices of their produce.

Experts made presentations giving insights on animal husbandry, added value activities, gender perspective and mechanical shearing.

A Q&A session at the end invited suggestions and comments from those present.

A well functioning wool value chain in Balochistan will create employment for herders, shearers, wool washers, sorters, graders, balers, spinners, dyers, traders and transporters. Much of this work can be done by women.

The proposed program (From Sheep to Shawl) will cover all aspects of the wool value chain from improved and sustainable rangeland management to vaccination, better feeding of sheep, delivery of shearing services and added value activities such as carpet making.

As for Shazia and Saleema , their eyes gleam with pride for they are not only able to contribute to the household income benefitting from the training received on FAO project but also are able to send their children to school. Their future is bright, they feel.