The key implementing partners in the Programme are the GB Department of Agriculture, the GB Department of Public Works, social mobilization partners and NGOs, private sector marketing and input suppliers, service delivery and processor partners, the Value Chain Technical Assistance Team, the Value Chain Management Committee, and farmers’ organizations at village and valley level.
Key Implementing Partners
Social Mobilization Partners (SMP)
The Social Mobilization Partners are responsible for farmer organization, social mobilization, and facilitation of linkages between farmer groups, the private sector, implementing agencies, and the Value Chain Technical Assistance Team.
Department of Agriculture (DoA)
The Department of Agriculture includes the directorates of Extension, Research, Livestock and Animal Health, Water Management, and Fisheries. The directorates of Extension, Research, Livestock, and Water Management are responsible for Programme activities linked to their mandates.
Directorate of Extension
The Directorate of Extension leads pre-harvest and post-harvest support, crop management training, and provision of quality planting material and seeds on a full cost-recovery basis through a revolving fund. The soil testing laboratory in Gilgit is also part of this support system.
Directorate of Research
The Directorate of Research manages tissue culture laboratories for production of quality potato seed, farmer training and monitoring for seed multiplication, linkages with buyers, promotion of storage and sorting facilities, and introduction of improved vegetable varieties. It also supports seed certification capacity in Gilgit and Skardu.
Water Management Department (WMD)
The Water Management Department is responsible for identifying potential land for development, confirming land ownership status, establishing Scheme Management Teams, preparing designs and cost estimates, agreeing implementation and cost recovery mechanisms, and planning future operations and maintenance arrangements for irrigation schemes.
Value Chain Technical Assistance Team (VCTAT)
The Value Chain Technical Assistance Team provides specialist long-term and short-term technical support. Working closely with implementing partners, extension and research agencies, and social mobilization partners, it helps producer associations develop business plans, connect with buyers, support contract formulation, monitor implementation progress, promote entrepreneurship in value addition, and identify policy or regulatory areas for government action.
Value Chain Development Fund Management Committee
The Value Chain Fund is designed to meet the financing needs of Village Producer Groups, Valley Producers Associations, women milk marketing groups, and individual entrepreneurs involved in product-specific enterprises.
Farmers Organizations (FOs)
Village and valley level Programme interventions, especially in business development, agriculture extension, infrastructure, and private sector linkages, are implemented through the active participation of organized farmers’ groups, including women’s organizations.
Partnership with the Private Sector
Private sector partnerships are a cornerstone of the Programme approach. They are advanced through social mobilization partners, the Value Chain Technical Assistance Team, and partner government extension and research agencies, with linkages both to local firms and down-country buyers.
Implementation Arrangements
With policy guidance, coordination, and administrative support from the Programme Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary, implementation is carried out through an autonomous Programme Coordination Unit in the provincial capital and three Regional Coordination Units serving Gilgit, Baltistan, and Diamer. Core line departments such as Irrigation and Water Management, Agriculture Extension and Research, and the Board of Revenue serve as implementing line agencies as envisaged in the Programme Design Report. During implementation, adjustments were made to respond to operational needs and recommendations of supervision missions with approval of the Steering Committee. In addition to in-house arrangements, specialized service providers such as Social Mobilization Partners and the Technical Assistance Team were engaged. The Cooperative Department of Gilgit-Baltistan is also part of the implementation framework for regulatory oversight and management of Village Agriculture Cooperatives.
Line Departments and Implementing Partners
- Planning and Development Department, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan
- Water Management & Irrigation Department, Gilgit-Baltistan
- Agriculture Extension Department, Gilgit-Baltistan
- Agriculture Research Department, Gilgit-Baltistan
- Excise, Taxation and Cooperative Department, Gilgit-Baltistan
- Gilgit-Baltistan Board of Revenue (GBBoR)
- Social Mobilization Partner
- Value Chain Technical Assistance Team (VCTAT)
- Environmental Protection Agency, Gilgit-Baltistan
- Forest and Wildlife Department, Gilgit-Baltistan
- School Education Department, Gilgit-Baltistan
- Gilgit Baltistan Rural Support Program (GBRSP)