World Bank Supports Pakistan to Increase Agricultural Resilience and Protect Small Farmers from Climate Change Impacts in Punjab

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2022—The World Financial institution’s Board of Authorities Directors right now accredited $200 million in financing to assist Pakistan in transforming the agricultural sector by undertakeing local climate-smart utilized sciences To reinforce water-use effectivity, construct resilience to extreme climate occasions and enhance incomes of small farmers.

The agricultural sector in Punjab is central to the Pakistan’s financial system and meals safety As a Outcome of it accounts for 73 % of the nation’s complete meals manufacturing. The Punjab Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation Enterprise (PRIAT) will enhance agricultural productiveness by way of environment nice and equitable entry to water for small farms. It is going to assist farmers On the group and household ranges to undertake local climate-smart farming practices and utilized sciences that enhance crop yields and protect water resupplys in Punjab.

“In current occasions Pakistan’s agriculture sector has suffered from losses in crop yields and livestock, damage to irrigation infrastructure, and meals shortages As a Outcome of of local climate change, notably extreme droughts Inside the Punjab province,” said Najy Benhassine, World Financial institution Country Director for Pakistan. “This project aligns with the Punjab Agriculture Coverage 2018, which promotes huge enlargement of water conservation efforts, enhancing sustainability and resilience Inside the wake of local climate change, And private sector participation To assist increase the productiveness of the sector.”

PRIAT will assist farmers implement revolutionary, local climate-smart utilized sciences To assist the Punjab government obtain economies of scale To rework the agricultural sector. The project will work together the private sector in sourcing relevant utilized sciences and offering teaching Tailored for water consumer associations and particular person households To reinforce water conservation practices and agriculture productiveness.

“The agriculture sector has An limitless alternative to each construct local climate resilience and enhance financial circumstances by producing entry to home and worldwide markets,” said Guo Li, Process Group Chief for the project. “PRIAT will assist velocity up The federal government’s efforts To rework the agri-meals system by way of market-oriented manufacturing actions that add worth, enhance competitiveness and generate greater incomes for farmers.”  

The project will revenue about 190,000 small, household-owned farms and 1.4 million acres of irrigated land in rural communities Inside the province. It is going to additionally current teaching to small- and medium-sized farm house owners on water conservation and extra sustainable, local climate-resilient agricultural practices, collectively with For women. About 74 % Of women Inside the province Rely upon agriculture as a supply of livelihood.

The World Financial institution in Pakistan

Pakistan has been a member of the World Financial institution since 1950. Since then, the World Financial institution has currentd $40 billion in assist. The World Financial institution’s program in Pakistan is ruled by the Country Partnership Method for FY2015-2020 with 4 precedence areas of work togetherment: power, private sector enhancement, inclusion, And restore supply. The current portfolio has 60 tasks and An complete dedication of $14.2 billion.