Empowering Smallholders through Climate-Smart Vertical Farming under the Resource Efficient Food Production (RE Food) Project

Empowering Smallholders through Climate-Smart Vertical Farming under the Resource Efficient Food Production (RE Food) Project

The Resource Efficient Food Production (RE Food) Project’s closing ceremony was held at the University of Agriculture Peshawar. The RE Food Project is implemented by Helvetas Germany and the Foundation for Rural Development (FRD) in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The ceremony brought together key stakeholders to celebrate the successful implementation of climate-smart agricultural innovations such as vertical farming, mulching, and resource efficiency. These innovative technologies demonstrated a 70% reduction in water usage, boosted yields by 185%, achieved a high percentage of replication, and improved overall farm profitability, ensuring a sustainable pathway toward food security.

The event was graced by the Secretary Department of Agriculture, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr. Atta Ur Rehman. Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Dr. Jahan Bakht, Country Director HELVETAS Pakistan Dr. Arjumand Nizami, CEO, FRD Mr. Azmat Khan, Country Representative HELVETAS Germany Dr. Muhammad Asad Salim, Deputy Country Director HELVETAS Pakistan Dr. Jawad Ali and Provincial Coordinator HELVETAS Pakistan Mr. Munawar Khan Khattak were also participated in the event.

Mr. Atta Ur Rehman visited Agri-farm of the University of Agriculture where a porotype tunnel is established, under the RE-Food Project for demonstration purposes. This initiative is designed to promote research and innovation among students, researchers, and farmers, highlighting climate-smart farming practices like vertical farming.

Speakers at the ceremony highlighted the transformative impact of sustainable farming practices and the importance of partnerships of farmers, research institutions, government line departments and the private sector in addressing food security and climate challenges.

• Dr. Jahan Bakht emphasized the urgency of adopting innovative farming technologies to combat food shortages and mitigate the impacts of climate change and sensitized their students to research on improved agri-technologies.

• Mr. Azmat Khan commented on the project’s successes in empowering over 600 small farming families and promoting the adoption of climate-smart agricultural techniques.

• Mr. Munawar Khan Khattak presented an economic analysis demonstrating that tunnel farming yields 82% higher market prices reduces post-harvest losses, significantly enhances water and fertilizer efficiency.

• Mr. Atta Ur Rehman stated that Climate-smart agriculture practices are the need of the hour. The concept of resource-efficient production, which emphasizes the minimal utilization of natural resources while ensuring sustainability is crucial for enhancing productivity and food security. He assured continued support of his department to FRD and HELVETAS in their future agriculture development programs.

• Dr. Arjumand Nizami highlighted HELVETAS’s collaboration with local institutions, including private sector emphasizing the importance and critical role of partnerships in driving impactful solutions for agriculture.

• Dr. Muhammad Asad Salim concluded the event by reaffirming HELVETAS’s commitment to fostering innovation and empowering communities through sustainable agricultural practices. He said that HELVETAS remains committed in supporting innovation and resilient farming by communities especially the women farmers.

The event also featured the screening of a project documentary by Mr. Owais K. Khattak, highlighting inspiring success stories of smallholders who adopted climate-smart practices such as vertical vegetable farming and walk-in tunnels. The documentary highlighted the resilience and innovation of farming communities, particularly women, who have embraced sustainable techniques to improve their livelihoods and adaptation to climate challenges. Additionally, the project empowered farmers by connecting them with useful agri-digital platforms, providing comprehensive manuals, and offering guiding technique videos to enhance their agricultural practices.

An award ceremony recognized the outstanding contributions of farmers, researchers, and project stakeholders for their dedication and commitment to sustainable agriculture.
The ceremony concluded with a unified call to action, urging continued partnerships to scale innovative farming practices and revolutionize agriculture in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and beyond.

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