Introduction
The term “Agri inclusion” refers to all initiatives that are aimed at providing equitable access to agricultural resources, services, and opportunities. It means that all segments of society—especially smallholder farmers, women, and marginalized rural communities shall have access to land, credit, markets, technology, training, and decision-making processes within the agricultural sector.
Agri inclusion includes:
• Land and resource equity:
In Pakistan, many small farms are fragmented and shrinking in size, which affects farm productivity and income. Agri inclusion policies aim to address these disparities and improve land tenure security.
• Access to finance: Agricultural lending is high on the priority list of State Bank of Pakistan which is encouraging banks and microfinance institutions to provide credit to farmers, with the aim of including those previously excluded from formal financial systems.
• Support for women in agriculture: Women make up a large portion of the agricultural workforce, yet a very small percentage has land ownership with limited access to training or credit. Empowering them through rights, education, and financial tools will enhance agri inclusion.
Agricultural practices that are Climate-resilient and sustainable: Inclusion also means promoting ecological farming methods so we are better able to protect both people and the environment as well as adapt to climate change. Agriculture sector is the cornerstone of rural livelihoods in Pakistan, employing nearly 38% of the labor force and contributing 24% to GDP, yet many farmers face systemic barriers such as fragmented land ownership, limited access to formal credit, and exclusion from modern farming techniques and markets — especially women and those with small landholdings.
Institutions such as the State Bank of Pakistan have introduced policies to promote financial inclusion in agriculture, ranging from concessional loans, credit guarantee schemes, and simplified loan applications to help small farmers prosper. There is also a growing push toward ecological and inclusive farming practices that empower women, promote sustainability, and build resilience against climate change.
In essence, agri inclusion is about making sure that Pakistan’s agricultural growth benefits everyone—not just the large landowners or commercial players.
Agri Inclusion Projects in Pakistan – Key Initiatives
A few key examples of initiatives currently underway to promote agri-inclusion in Pakistan, especially for smallholder farmers and underserved communities are given below:
1. Empowerment of Kissan through Financial and Digital Inclusion (E-Credit Scheme) This project provides interest-free loans of up to Rs. 30,000 per acre for Rabi crops and Rs. 40,000 for Kharif crops to small farmers in the province of Punjab. It also entails distribution of subsidized smartphones and agriculture apps to farmers, to help them access weather updates, pest alerts, and expert advice with the aim of promoting digital literacy.
2. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Projects
ACIAR collaborates with Pakistan on various projects to support agribusiness, smallholder dairy, horticulture, and water management aimed at improving food security, boosting productivity, and enhancing technical capacity—primarily focusing on livestock systems and high-value crops like mangoes, citrus, etc.
3. FAO’s Chilghoza Forest Restoration Project
This project focuses on empowering local communities to promote sustainable forest management and agroforestry in regions like Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, by establishing forest conservation committees, distributing fruit and forest plants, and setting up processing units for pine nuts (chilghoza) – a valuable local commodity.
Each of these projects tackle various different facets of inclusion—financial, technological, environmental, and social.
Major Challenges Limiting Agri Inclusion in Pakistan
A host of challenges limit equitable growth and opportunity across rural communities which must be tackled to fast track Agricultural inclusion in Pakistan. The most important are given below:
• Water scarcity: Pakistan has the world’s largest irrigation system, yet many small farmers remain without reliable access to water owing to outdated infrastructure, poor water management, and unequal distribution
• Land ownership inequality: Most farmers work on tiny plots or as landless laborers, while a small elite controls a major share of arable land. This imbalance stifles productivity and limits access to credit and government support.
• Limited access to finance: Most rural farmers, except large landowners, rely on informal lenders who charge very high interest rates. Access to formal credit remains out of reach for most smallholders, especially women.
• Low adoption of modern technology: Traditional farming methods dominate, with limited awareness or training in modern tools like soil testing, precision agriculture, climate-smart practices, etc.
• Market access and infrastructure gaps: Logistics, supply chain and infrastructure gaps such as poor roads, storage facilities, and market linkages mean farmers often sell produce at low prices or suffer post-harvest losses.
• Gender disparities: Despite their significant contribution to agriculture, women continue to face barriers in land ownership, training, and financial services, hence their role remains undervalued and unsupported.
• Climate vulnerability: Lack of institutional support to build resilience against climate changes means that small farmers face the major brunt of increasingly erratic weather patterns, floods, and droughts. Programs Benefiting Women Farmers in Pakistan? Efforts are underway to reshape the landscape for women farmers—who have long been the invisible backbone of rural agriculture. Programs and initiatives aimed at agricultural inclusion in Pakistan are making a difference:
• Improved access to information: Mobile platforms like BaKhabar Kissan are helping women receive timely advice on crop care, weather, and marketprices—even in remote areas where extension services rarely reach.
• Financial empowerment: Digital wallets and mobile banking services such as JazzCash are enabling women to manage their own finances, access microloans, and participate in savings groups.
• Training and capacity building: NGOs and government programs are offering women training in modern farming techniques, livestock care, and kitchen gardening boosting productivity and giving them more control over household food security
• Recognition and visibility: Programs are helping shift cultural perceptions and open doors to support and resources by formally recognizing women contributions— in post-harvest processing, livestock rearing, and home-based food production.
• Entrepreneurship opportunities: Some women are now running small agribusinesses, selling dairy products, vegetables, or handmade goods. These ventures not only generate income but also increase their influence and role in household and community decisions.
Agri Inclusion – Comparison with Other Countries? Agri inclusion in Pakistan is progressing at a slower pace as it still lags behind some countries that have made more systemic investments in inclusive rural development.
• Initiatives like Punjab Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation Project, focuses on climate-smart practices, gender inclusion, and smallholder support.
• Gender-responsive policies in provinces like Sindh and Balochistan aim to empower women in agriculture through legal protections and targeted programs.
• In contrast, countries like India and Bangladesh have more mature microfinance ecosystems and broader digital penetration in rural areas, which allows for easier access to credit and markets for small farmers.
• Kenya is often recognized for its success with mobile-based agricultural services like M-Pesa and DigiFarm, which have significantly contributed towards financial inclusion for rural farmers. Nonetheless, Pakistan is making steady strides—especially in recognizing the role of women and climate resilience in agriculture. Scaling these efforts and ensuring consistent implementation across provinces is the real challenge.
Role of Technology – Success Stories of Pakistani Agriculture
Some inspiring examples of how technology is transforming agriculture and improving lives—especially for smallholder farmers and rural communities are given below:
1. Mobile Advisory Services Boosting Yields
Apps like BaKhabar Kissan and Kisan Portal have empowered farmers with real-time weather updates, pest control tips, and crop management advice. A study by Pakistan Agricultural Research Council found that farmers using these services saw up to 20% higher yields.
2. Precision Farming in Punjab
Tools such as IoT sensors and satellite imagery have been adopted by farmers in Punjab to monitor soil health and crop conditions. These tools help optimize irrigation and fertilizer use, leading to better productivity and resource efficiency.
3. Climate-Resilient Tech in Sindh
After the devastating 2022 floods, the FAO and the Government of Japan supported women farmers in Sindh with solar-powered irrigation systems and poultry farming kits. This helped rebuild livelihoods and reduce long-term dependence on aid.
4. Empowering Women Through Livestock Technology
In Sanghar district, women have used digital training and veterinary support tools to grow small livestock businesses. These efforts have improved household income and food security while also promoting gender inclusion.
5. Digital Marketplaces Opening New Doors
Online platforms are connecting farmers directly with buyers, cutting out middlemen and increasing profits. This is especially impactful for youth-led agri-startups that are using e-commerce to sell organic produce and value-added goods.
6. Training and Capacity Building
Virtual training programs and YouTube-style tutorials are making it easier for farmers to learn new techniques
without leaving their villages. This democratizes knowledge and builds confidence. Pakistan is already seeing success stories—from rice farmers using drones to boost yields, to urban growers adopting hydroponics for higher output in smaller spaces. The key now is scaling these innovations and ensuring they reach the most marginalized.
Role of Fintechs – The Real Game Changer
Fintechs are playing an increasingly vital role in driving agricultural inclusion in Pakistan, especially by bridging the financial gap for smallholder farmers who have long been underserved by traditional banks. Here’s how they’re making a difference:
1. Access to Credit – Without Collateral
Fintechs like Ricult are coming up with solutions for small farmers who lack formal documentation or land titles, and often find it hard to get loans from banks. By using alternative data—like mobile usage, crop cycles, and transaction history— they are able to assess creditworthiness and offer microloans tailored to farmers’ needs.
2. Digital Payments and Wallets
The advent of wallets has opened up options of making payment without needing a bank account. Platforms such as Easypaisa and JazzCash allow farmers to receive payments, pay for inputs, and even save money securely, this is especially empowering for women and remote communities.
3. Crop Insurance and Risk Management
Some fintechs are helping farmers manage risks from floods, droughts, or pests by bundling products such as weather-indexed crop insurance with loans. This reduces vulnerability and encourages investment in better inputs.
4. Reducing Dependence on Informal Lenders Informal credit sources like middlemen still make over 70% of all loans, whereby farmers are often exploited with low prices and high-interest loans. Fintechs offer a transparent, scalable alternative that can break this cycle.
5. Market Linkages and Advisory Services Many Agri-fintech platforms also provide market price updates, weather forecasts, and expert advice, helping farmers make informed decisions and connect directly with buyers.
Conclusion
Agri Inclusion in Pakistan is poised to become a real game changer for the Pakistan economy, albeit it is gathering pace gradually.
The success stories are proof that when technology meets local knowledge and support systems, the results can be transformative. However, a lot needs to be done. In order to truly scale these solutions, close collaboration between fintech startups, government bodies, and agri-tech innovators is imperative. Only then can we expect to fast track growth towards a more inclusive, resilient, and tech-savvy agricultural economy.
