FAO investment design targets improved resilience for Sindh’s farmers and fishers

The Government of Pakistan has launched an investment project aimed at revitalizing the livestock and aquaculture sectors in Sindh. The project is a key part of the Government of Pakistan’s strategies to strengthen Pakistan’s social protection and economic growth.

The Sindh Livestock and Aquaculture Sectors Transformation project (LIVAQUA) – funded by the World Bank with an investment of USD 135 million, supported by project design technical expertise from the FAO Investment Centre – aims to help smallholder farmers and fishers become more resilient and competitive through climate-smart agriculture and improved access to markets.

Over 940 000 farming families across Sindh are expected to benefit, including 930 000 livestock households and 10 000 aquaculture producers.

Livestock and aquaculture are lifelines for Sindh’s farmers, fueling the rural economy and providing jobs for vulnerable populations.

Yet, Sindh is among the most climate-affected provinces in Pakistan. Farmers grapple with severe droughts, destructive livestock diseases, frequent floods, and damage to vital facilities.

Catastrophic floods in 2022, followed by widespread droughts, underscored the urgent need for resilient agricultural practices. Outdated infrastructure and limited access to services and finance are also major barriers for farmers.

“This is an important public investment opportunity to foster sustainable and inclusive growth in Sindh's livestock and aquaculture sectors,” said Mohamed Manssouri, FAO Investment Centre Director. “By integrating climate-smart practices and boosting market access, we are paving the way for long-term resilience and secure livelihoods for farmers and fishers.”

Investing in Sindh’s lifeline

The FAO Investment Centre played a key role in shaping the quality of the investment and its expected outcomes by providing expert guidance on improving livestock production and services, strengthening farmers' groups and improving access to markets through producer alliances.

As part of the Centre’s support to public investment, it worked closely with the Sindh Livestock and Fisheries Department throughout the project design process, providing support to enhance their skills in areas like results-based management and monitoring and evaluation.

This collaboration has enhanced the department's capacity to take the lead on large-scale investment projects in the future.

The Centre also developed clear plans to track progress and measure success, to ensure that the project delivers real, lasting benefits.

Sindh's farmers and fishers will receive training and grants to enable them to adopt climate-smart farming methods, which are expected to increase productivity, quality, and marketability, while also helping them to withstand weather-related shocks and disasters.

Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, said, “The devastating floods of 2022 were a tragic reminder of the importance of building resilience to natural disasters. It is imperative to assist vulnerable communities to absorb climate shocks through innovative climate-smart technology and contingency planning.”

Introducing climate-resilient fodder crop varieties and innovative manure management will strengthen farm resilience and cut greenhouse gas emissions, while contributing to soil enrichment and carbon sequestration.

Agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Pakistan, with livestock alone accounting for nearly 20 percent of the country’s total emissions.

Farmers are expected to benefit from investments in breeding, disease control, and better feed management, which will not only increase productivity but also reduce methane emissions.

Investment in modern infrastructure for producers – including cold chains and green technologies – is expected to lower greenhouse gas emissions, while enabling producers to operate more efficiently, meet market needs and reach more buyers.

For fishers, sustainable aquaculture practices – like recirculating systems – can improve fish health and reduce water consumption.

Another goal is to improve public and private services for producers, such as disease control, better animal genetics, enhanced food safety, and the adoption of green technologies for more sustainable production systems.

“This project is a game changer for Sindh’s farmers and fishers facing growing climate challenges,” said Jozimo Santos Rocha, Officer-in-Charge of the Asia and the Pacific Service. “By empowering producers with climate-smart technologies and better market access, we hope to boost productivity, improve product quality, and raise incomes – key to long-term food security and sustainable growth in the region.”

Over the next five years, Sindh’s farmers and fishers will have more chances to build resilient, sustainable livelihoods, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.