Written by: Mehr Jan
Posted on: January 28, 2020 | 
Visitors Shopping at the IFM
Organic farming is rapidly becoming a popular lifestyle choice in Pakistan. Clean eating isn’t considered a novelty now, and with lush vegetation, favourable weather conditions and the most fertile soil at its disposal, Pakistan hosts the perfect recipe for organic produce. Many initiatives all over the country were launched during recent years to support the grass-root efforts of local farmers, who sell their organic offerings. For the city of Islamabad, perhaps the oldest and best-established market of this kind is Islamabad Farmer’s Market (IFM).
IFM consists of a close-knit unit of well-known and beloved vendors. Since its inception in 2013, the market has been welcoming visitors, including foreigners, celebrities and the health-conscious to interact with the sellers. Initially, the market began at Kuch Khaas’ grounds in F-6 but shut down when Kuch Khaas shifted buildings. Afterward, IFM took place at different venues until finding a home in front of the popular eatery, ‘Hot Spot Café’.
Visitors Purchasing Goods
Customers can sample a range of delectable and fresh produce, that feature organic fruits and vegetables, and also include delicacies like homemade honey and jam, freshly churned butter, various kinds of cheeses, and even special ‘mountain bread’.
Claus Euler from ‘Max and Moritz’ bakery has been participating since the first edition of the Farmer’s Market. He aims to maximize the utilization of local ingredients for his well-known German bread, using buckwheat and wild millet from places like Hunza and Kohistan, which makes for a hearty and delicious ‘mountain bread’.
Claus (Left) with Stroopwafel Lab Co-Founders
This time around, he’s marked his 200th presence at the IFM this year, by collaborating with ‘StroopWafel Lab’ to introduce an authentic Dutch delicacy not commonly found in Islamabad. Stroopwafels are wafer cookies made from two thin layers of baked dough, joined by a caramel filling. Claus’ collaborator, Zohib Hussain shared how the street delicacy received immensely positive feedback when he brought back samples from his visit to Holland a few years back. After starting the organization with his sister-in-law, Hussain’s home-based initiative quickly took shape. ‘StroopWafel Lab’ was a superb hit at this IFM, selling Valentine’s Day inspired stroopwafels and delighting visitors with a sweet surprise, inspired by the Dutch treat.
Besides serving Dutch delights and Desi delicacies, IFM is also home to a spread of Afghan flavours. Naseem Akhtar from Peshawar has been participating in IFM for the past 6 years and offers a taste of the North-Western region of this country at the market. She has been responsible for conducting workshops and classes on the art of Afghan pickling and pickle mix (‘achaar’). Naseem is always delighted to see foreigners indulging in cottage cheese from Waziristan, pickles and jams from the Northern Areas, as well as pure, fresh ghee and organic poultry from farms on the outskirts of Islamabad. She remains optimistic about the lasting impacts of the shift towards small-scale, organic farming.
Naseem Akhtar and Her Stall of Delicacies
Echoing similar views, IFM founder Qasim Tareen stated that the future of organic farming lies with small farmers and small home producers. Reflecting on ‘small is beautiful’, he explained that the goal has always been to create a strong, personal, environmentally-focused community that collectivizes its efforts to provide quality services to the consumers.
Qasim hopes that the public sector will also adopt principles of sustainability, and that through new policies, the areas in the North and West like Chitral, Hunza and the regions surrounding Gilgit-Baltistan would be declared as organic states to save their fragile eco-systems. With climate change on the rise, these areas need extra protection, as well as the opportunity for regular vendor-buyer platforms, to perpetuate community livelihood.
IFM Founder Qasim Tareen
Qasim believed that through the establishment of strong communities that work together to create awareness on healthy agricultural practices, the future of organic farming in Pakistan can be sustained and taken seriously.
The Islamabad Farmer’s Market will continue to take place every Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm in front of the Hot Spot Café in F7. Timings may vary during seasonal change.
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