Iftar with organic fruits: A natural step toward healthier Pakistan
PESHAWAR (APP): As birds chirp among the blossoming canopy trees announcing the start of spring in Mohib Banda village along the banks of the River Kabul, the golden rays of the sun gently illuminate the modest mud house of Fahim Khan, a 35-year-old fruit seller whose quiet struggle reflects hope, hardwork and the spirit of Ramazan.
For Fahim, the holy month brings not only spiritual reflection but also renewed livelihood. His life took a dramatic turn in 2020 when his father passed away after battling cancer, leaving behind a small fruit business and a financially strained family.
Despite the financial hardships, Fahim decided to continue his father’s legacy and continue its sale till Iftar.
‘I wakes before dawn, travels to the bustling Chamkani fruit market in Peshawar, and returns to his hometown in Nowshera district with rickshaw loads of fresh fruits to meet the rising demand for nutritious food during Iftar,” Fahim covering head with white cap told APP.
“Ramazan increases people’s demand for fresh fruits especially organic one,” he said with a smile. “Families want healthy items especially strawberry, apple and orange besides dates for Iftar, especially for children and elderly members.”
Determined to overcome poverty, he invested his savings in a small rickshaw to transport produce. Every day he sells guava, apples, oranges, peaches, ladyfinger and ridged gourd, items that are increasingly becoming a staple on Iftar tables.
As spring sets in across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said the demand for organic produce surges, sometimes forcing him to make two trips to Chamkani market before sunset.
Fruits business carries risks and perishable goods can result in financial losses if not sold.
Despite these uncertainties, he feels satisfied knowing his work contributes to better nutrition in his community.
Fruits and balanced diets vital for health especially in Aftar, said health experts.
The growing consumption of fruits and vegetables during Ramazan can play a significant role in combating malnutrition and preventing lifestyle diseases.
Dr. Fareedullah Khan, a pediatric specialist stressed that balanced diets are essential for children, lactating mothers and elderly people.
“Healthy dietary practices should begin early in life,” he said. “Breastfeeding is essential for newborn growth and cognitive development, while nutritious foods later support immunity and physical development.”
According to Dr. Fareed, dietary guidelines recommend that total fat intake should not exceed 30 percent of daily calories, with saturated fats kept below 10 percent.
Excessive salt consumption, he warned, increases the risk of hypertension and heart disease.
He described malnutrition as a “silent killer” that threatens children’s growth and cognitive development.
Pakistan ranks among the highest in the region for child stunting, with nearly 40 percent of children affected, largely due to poverty, food insecurity and limited access to healthcare.
In less developed districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—including merged tribal areas, Tank, Batagram, Kohistan and Chitral—many children fail to receive essential micronutrients.
“Studies show up to 70 percent of children lack sufficient calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin A, while about half suffer from vitamin C deficiency,” he said.
Iron deficiency alone affects nearly half of children under five, leading to developmental delays and increasing vulnerability to pneumonia and other illnesses.
Nutrition experts believe that promoting organic agriculture and increasing fruit consumption could help address the growing nutrition problems.
Darya Khan, Provincial Coordinator at Nutrition International in Peshawar, said the government has been encouraging organic farming to improve dietary quality, particularly during Ramazan.
“People who frequently consume processed and unhealthy foods face higher risks of strokes, stomach disorders and cardiovascular diseases,” he explained.
Promoting kitchen gardening and home-based agriculture could significantly improve nutrition for Pakistan’s population of more than 250 million, he added.
Communities in remote areas such as Hunza and Swat, known for balanced diets rich in natural foods, offer clear examples of how nutrition contributes to longevity and healthier lifestyles.
According to Darya Khan, organic farming has grown by nearly 15 percent annually in Pakistan over the past decade, particularly in urban centres like Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi.
Experts also warn that malnutrition is not only a health issue but an economic challenge.
Dr. Muhammad Naeem, former chairman of the Economics Department at the University of Peshawar, said Pakistan loses approximately $3 billion annually due to micronutrient deficiencies, equal to about 1.33 percent of the national GDP.
He said that poverty increased in many parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the devastating floods of 2022, which damaged agriculture and livestock, increasing food insecurity and stunting rates among children and pregnant women.
Officials from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department said that the government has launched several initiatives to combat malnutrition and stunting in children.
Under the Ehsaas Nashonuma programme, financial support is provided to poor families, particularly those with pregnant women and young children for two years, while health records of beneficiary children are maintained to monitor their growth and nutrition.
Health authorities believed that promoting balanced diets, improving agricultural practices and expanding nutrition awareness are essential steps toward reducing stunting.
Back in his small shop, as the evening approaches and people begin preparing for Iftar, Fahim carefully arranges fresh fruit packets for customers.
For him, selling fruits is more than just a livelihoof but meaningful contribution to the health of his community.
“If people eat healthy foods, especially during Iftar, it helps them stay strong,” he said.
And as the call to Maghrib prayer echoes across the village, Fahim’s stall remains a quiet reminder that simple choices like a plate of fresh fruit at Iftar can help nourish a nation’s future.
