A blessing or a curse? Education in the changing agrarian landscape of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

This study examines how education has influenced gender and generational dynamics of agrarian change in Ghulkin, Gojal, Pakistan. Gilgit Baltistan has witnessed tremendous increase in education in recent decades. The areas particularly dominated by Ismaili communities such as Gojal valley, due to the directives and guidance of Ismaili Imam and its institutions has experienced high education expansion and high gender parity. Due to the rise in education, young male and female are migrating to other cities of Pakistan for education. I analyze the change in agrarian landscapes due to education expansion. The new emerging landscapes paint a grimly picture which is depopulated and usually shows an “ageing” population of farmers. Young people visit the family and the farm for two months in a year, moreover, a clear shift in terms of gendered attitude toward farming was also observed. Young educated males have withdrawn themselves from farming, whereas young educated women still contribute to farming and care work during their two months stay. Due to the absence of the young men, the sophisticated and intricate oasis water irrigation systems are under threat. The practice of women going to pastures has been abandoned mainly due to the new demands of education to be sedentary and to be at home. Education has been equated with social mobility but is being experienced as a contradictory resource due to uneven outcomes in terms of employment, social and cultural values.