TY - JOUR A1 - Spies, Michael T1 - Commercialization versus De-intensification? Markets, Livelihoods, and Agricultural Change in Northern Pakistan JF - Asien: the German journal on contemporary Asia N2 - Based on a case study in northern Pakistan, this paper investigates the complex processes of change that have reshaped local farming systems there in recent decades. In Pakistan, agricultural policies emphasize intensification and productivity growth as overarching, nationwide goals. In an empirical investigation of changing farming practices in the mountain district of Nagar, guided by an assemblage-theory perspective on agricultural change, the paper questions this lopsided view. The case study reveals a significant shift from subsistence- to market-oriented crop production in recent decades, but also an emerging tendency among farmers to invest less time and effort in sophisticated and productivity-enhancing practices — in other words, a certain de-intensification of the latter. These processes may seem contradictory, but make sense for local households who adapt their farming strategies to a changing social, political, and economic context. Following political reforms and major road improvements, new livelihood opportunities, lifestyles, and ideals have emerged in the community and contributed to a significant shift away from farming aspirations, despite a general process of agricultural commercialization. The paper concludes that processes of agricultural development cannot be adequately addressed by the narrowly defined productivity goals of related policies in Pakistan, as for smallholder farmers the maximization of production is not necessarily a priority. Instead, more holistic approaches are needed that focus on safeguarding the agricultural resource base while also supporting the aspiration of local farming households to diversify their livelihoods. KW - agrarian change KW - intensification KW - commercial crop production KW - Gilgit-Baltistan KW - Karakoram KW - assemblage theory Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2277 SN - 0721-5231 SN - 2701-8431 VL - 2020 IS - 156/157 SP - 79 EP - 101 PB - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Asienkunde ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Voigt, Katja A1 - Spies, Michael T1 - Female Education and Social Change: Changing Perceptions of Women's Roles in Society in the High Mountains of Northern Pakistan JF - Mountain Research and Development N2 - This article investigates the emergence of female education and its social impacts in a remote and male-dominated mountain community through a case study of Nagar District in northern Pakistan. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 24 women from different educational backgrounds and 15 selected male informants, the study reveals a notable increase in educational opportunities for girls and young women within a relatively short time span, and shows how these changes have affected local perceptions of women's social roles. While there are mixed opinions about the usefulness of education for girls—some find that educated women are better housewives and mothers, while others highlight career opportunities for women—female education has clearly contributed to an increase in self-determination of women. Young women now marry later and have fewer children, parents give their daughters more freedom, and education has contributed to an increase in female mobility and to a more confident and visible role of women in community life. While other aspects of social change also play critical roles, this study shows that female education is one important element in the development of a more equitable society in mountains and elsewhere. KW - Female education KW - Development KW - Gender inequality KW - Gilgit-Baltistan KW - Karakoram KW - Nagar District Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2294 SN - 0276-4741 VL - 2020 IS - 40(4) PB - International Mountain Society CY - Switzerland ER -