Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture - Pakistan

This activity leases agricultural land to women for the cultivation of sustainable crops. The activity provides the wheat seeds. Wheat can be cut for livestock before it is cultivated. The women do not use any chemicals or insecticides, but instead use animal manure to help the wheat grow. The germination and growth rate of the wheat seed is 100%, even in a fluctuating climate. By using the natural seeds, farmers have helped the environment, their health, land fertility and improved their income.

Fast facts:

In 2013, 62 farmers have used climate resilient sustainable methods, and 27 of them were female;
In 2014, 40 women farmers were using these methods.

The problem

Large landholders grow cash crops and therefore use more insecticides and chemicals to reap more harvest and make more money. Insecticides and chemicals are very damaging on the environment, and can pollute water systems and affect human health.

The solution

This activity has trained women in agricultural ecosystems, environmental protection and climate resilient sustainable agriculture. The women came up with different models of cultivating the wheat and have provided the models to other farmers in the area. The model is based on cutting the wheat before the seed is harvested in order to feed livestock, and then using the animal’s waste to fertilize the wheat. When farmers hear about how chemicals and insecticide can harm their animals or the water they use to water their harvest, they want to switch to this sustainable agriculture model.

Helping the planet

This activity has reduced the amount of synthetic fertilizer being used on farms in Pakistan, thus helping to improve groundwater.

Helping people

By eating organic wheat, farmers are looking out for their health as well as their children’s health.

Scaling up

The models developed by the women in this activity are scalable, but those women and men small farmers own their own land. Big landholders might still default to cash crops and synthetic fertilizers to make more profit. So far, organic wheat is only used for personal consumption, since there are no organic products in the local market.