Khairpur is becoming a hub of rural entrepreneurship. Through sustainable development and empowering interventions, the district is rewriting its narrative - from a flood-affected region to a land of resilience and opportunity. Read on…
Khairpur, rich in culture and history, welcomes visitors with an aura of ancient charm reminiscent of a mini-Arab world. Once home to the thriving Kot Diji civilisation, this district is a reflection of the rich history of the Indus Valley. Founded in 1783 by Mir Sohrab Khan of the Talpur family, Khairpur remains a cultural treasure in Sindh, Pakistan.
Khairpur is also popularly known as ‘The City of Dates’, because of the numerous date palms that line its areas – and for the delicious varieties of dates available here. Today, Khairpur boasts a population of 2.4 million, making it the fifth-most populated district in the province. With 80 per cent of its people reliant on agriculture, the main crops include wheat, gram, cotton, oil seeds, and sugarcane. Khairpur’s agricultural strength positions it as both a historical gem and an economic backbone for Sindh.
Khairpur was among the hardest-hit areas during the catastrophic 2022 floods. The district received over 300 mm of rain in a single day, displacing 7,549 people and affecting more than 51,000 households. These floods destroyed nearly three million acres of crops, leaving farmers grappling with salinisation and reduced soil fertility.
Due to climate change, with alternating periods of extreme droughts and devastating floods, Khairpur’s agricultural resilience faces unprecedented challenges. This calls for innovative solutions to combat these natural disasters and secure livelihoods. A number of NGOs are working in Sindh and Khairpur to uplift communities through sustainable development. One such organisation is the Management and Development Foundation (MDF) - a non-profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works on a number of issues including climate change and disaster risk reduction; housing and shelter and agriculture and livestock management. MDF has implemented several initiatives in Khairpur that focus on sustainable cotton production and building resilience to climate change, aiming to economically empower women by training them in entrepreneurship and providing resources for chicken breeding, agro forestry, and kitchen gardening.
One of the organisation’s projects is aimed at improving the livelihoods of small cotton farmers, especially women, and their families. While talking about the project, Mohammad Juniad, CEO of MDF, says, “With this project, supported by WWF, and BMZ, our goal is to equip small cotton farmers with the necessary training to cope with flood damages and rebuild their future with resilience. At its core, this project is designed to build resilience and provide sustainable income sources for these communities.”
Notably, WWF, the largest environmental NGO in Germany, has been active in Pakistan for over five decades. WWF-Pakistan has been at the forefront of nature conservation in the country, initiating numerous projects and programmes aimed at preserving biodiversity, promoting environmental education, and advocating for sustainable development. And German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has been funding environmental and sustainable development projects in Pakistan.
Highlighting the project’s innovative approach, the Mohammad Junaid explains, “The introduction of incubators and the supply of fertile eggs are key elements of our intervention. These tools enable women in rural areas to hatch and rear chicks, creating opportunities for income generation. For instance, 60-70 per cent of eggs placed in the incubators develop into healthy chicks, which is a game-changer for families relying on agriculture for survival. This initiative not only boosts household income but also fosters food security.”
These efforts have not only improved livelihoods but also set inspiring examples of resilience and self-reliance among women in Khairpur and its adjacent villages. Khairpur is now becoming a hub of rural entrepreneurship. Through sustainable development and empowering interventions, the district is rewriting its narrative - from a flood-affected region to a land of resilience and opportunity.
During my recent visit to Gambat Shah, Baksho Soomro and Mir Mohammad Solangi villages in Khairpur District, I witnessed the positive outcome of these initiatives. I talked to a number of local women who shared with this scribe their success stories. These women are shining examples of how small initiatives can bring significant change. With MDF’s support, they have not only stabilised their families’ financial situations but also brought hope and inspiration to their communities. Read on…
Zareena’s story is one of courage and inspiration. “Everything was swept away by flood waters. My home was broken and I lost almost all my belongings,” tells Zareena, a cotton farmer in Gambat Shah. “After floods, I had to start my life from scratch. I had to think fast how to earn my livelihood. Luckily, I had enough land at my disposal. At that time MDF came to my rescue. They provided me with a kitchen gardening kit, I started growing vegetables at home and sold them to others in the village too (a sustainable practice that not only helped her earn an income but also contributed to local food security). That’s how I started generating income,” she elucidates. “Using the earnings from my vegetable sales, I expanded my business by purchasing laces from the city’s wholesale market and reselling them to local tailors,” she elaborates. With her business flourishing, she has built a strong customer base and created a ripple effect of entrepreneurship within her community. Today, Zareena is not just a thriving entrepreneur but also a testament to climate resilience, as her small-scale agricultural efforts have paved the way for long-term economic stability, even in the face of the challenges posed by climate change. Her journey illustrates how targeted support fosters sustainable economic and environmental growth.
In Gambat Shah, I met Fareeda Somro, an unmarried woman whose story moved me deeply. With a sense of pride, she showed me a baby goat that she had bought using the income she earned from selling eggs. This seemingly modest achievement is a significant milestone for Fareeda. “We used to live in extreme poverty. I was dependent on my brothers for everything and had to look up to them for my needs. Their own families were their priority and I felt like a burden,” narrates Fareeda. “But my life changed when representatives of MDF approached me and gifted me 12 chickens so that I could start something on my own. Their support gave me strength. Slowly and gradually, I started earning from selling eggs and now I am in a position to support my brothers and have bought a baby goat too from my savings,” expresses Fareeda. “Since I am an earning member now, everyone treats me with respect. That’s the power of being financially independent,” she proudly says with a grin. Fareeda’s story is one of determination and hope. Despite the challenges she faced as an unmarried woman in a rural village, she now stands tall, empowered, and financially stable, all thanks to a simple gift of poultry and the belief that change is possible.
Another inspiring story is of Sawera Amjad, a resident of Mir Mohammad Solangi village. “My husband, my two children and I were living in poverty. My husband’s income was not enough to make both ends meet. If we ate once, we had to go to bed on an empty stomach the next time. But luckily, I got to know about this MDF organisation that was helping women to stand on their feet. With the help of an incubator provided by MDF, I started my journey with just 25 chickens. I began offering egg-hatching services to other women in my community. In return, I received half of the newly hatched chicks. This innovative barter system brought me a steady income,” shares Sawera. “Now, with the inflow of cash, our standard of living has also improved. Now, we eat two proper meals and I can also buy clothes and books for my children. I feel empowered,” she adds. Sawera’s story demonstrates how determination and opportunity can empower women to change their destinies like in her case, she has not only become financially sound, she has also supported women in her community in generating income.
Then there’s Tehmina, from Baksho Soomro Village, who has successfully transformed her home into a small-scale business hub. Her story is a powerful example of how, with the right support and determination, small-scale businesses can thrive in rural areas, fostering both economic and climate resilience. “Life became incredibly difficult after the floods. With every step, we had to face the sight of starving children. There was insufficient food and inadequate clothing. My understanding of business came from the lessons learned during these challenging times,” says Tehmina. “I was determined to increase my income. I got to learn from MDF’s initiatives in our village. I sought their help and with their support I started my own kitchen garden. I began growing vegetables like garlic and sold fresh vegetables to the community. This helped me in generating income and I was able to provide fresh food for my family,” shares Tehmina. Now, Tehmina has expanded her business and has opened a shop where she sells home-made goods and eggs. “I am proud of the fact that I am supporting my husband financially and he truly respects me for contributing in household expenses,” she states
Her success story highlights the impact of combining entrepreneurship with sustainable farming practices, creating a self-sufficient model that can withstand the pressures of economic hardship and environmental challenges.
The project also focuses on strengthening financial literacy and social awareness. “Beneficiaries now have bank accounts and national identity cards, enabling access to the formal economy. Additionally, our adult learning programmes emphasise basic literacy, numeracy, and even digital skills to help them engage with social media platforms to expand their opportunities,” informs Mohammad Junaid.
Moreover, the organisation is committed to extensive training programmes, including handicrafts such as topi-making, to diversify income sources. “These efforts are about equipping communities with the skills and knowledge to stand on their own, even amidst challenges like climate change. We aim to ensure that every family touched by this initiative feels empowered and capable of shaping their future,” comments Mohammad Junaid.
The writer is a development professional. She can be reached at quratmudasar@gmail.com
