Project Details.

The Food Security Program in Skardu District of Baltistan Region, implemented by the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), aimed to address chronic food insecurity and livelihood vulnerability in one of Pakistan’s most remote, high‑altitude regions. Skardu faces severe agro‑ecological constraints, including a short growing season, limited arable land, harsh winters, poor market access, and high dependence on subsistence agriculture. Prior to the program, many households experienced seasonal food shortages and limited income diversification. The program focused on improving household food availability, access, and utilization through a combination of community‑based and livelihood‑oriented interventions. Core components of the initiative included support to smallholder agriculture, improvement of irrigation and water management systems, promotion of kitchen gardening and crop diversification, strengthening of community institutions, and enhancement of household resilience to climatic and economic shocks. The program aligned with AKRSP’s long‑standing participatory rural development approach, emphasizing community organization, local ownership, and sustainable livelihoods in Gilgit‑Baltistan, including Skardu district. 

HCPL provided the following key services: Evaluation Design and Framework Development Developed the impact assessment framework, including evaluation questions, indicators, and analytical approach, aligning the assessment with food security dimensions commonly used in AKRSP and AKDN programmes (availability, access, and stability) Desk Review and Context Analysis Reviewed program documents, implementation reports, and relevant AKRSP agriculture and food security literature to understand program objectives, intervention logic, and the socio‑economic context of Skardu district. Primary Data Collection Designed and administered household‑level survey tools and conducted key informant interviews with program staff, community leaders, and beneficiary groups to gather quantitative and qualitative evidence on changes in food consumption patterns, agricultural production, and livelihood outcomes. HIMAT Consulting conducted field Verification and Community Consultations Carried out field visits in selected program locations within Skardu district to validate reported results, assess utilization of supported interventions, and capture beneficiary perceptions regarding program relevance and effectiveness. Data Analysis and Impact Assessment Analyzed primary and secondary data to assess changes attributable to the program, including improvements in household food availability, dietary diversity, agricultural productivity, and coping strategies during lean seasons. Reporting and Recommendations Prepared a concise impact assessment report summarizing key findings, lessons learned, and practical recommendations for strengthening future food security and livelihood interventions in high‑altitude and resource‑constrained contexts such as Baltistan. These services contributed to evidence‑based learning for AKRSP and helped inform future program design and scaling of food security initiatives in Gilgit‑Baltistan