Pakistani women lead fight against malnutrition with bio-fortified crops: officials

ISLAMABAD: Women farmers in rural areas of Punjab and Sindh are spearheading a nutrition-focused agricultural shift by cultivating bio-fortified zinc-enriched wheat, improving both household health and financial stability.

After training on its benefits, these women have integrated the nutrient-rich crop into their diets, addressing zinc deficiencies and enhancing overall well-being, officials in the Ministry of Food Security said.

Pakistan marked a significant milestone with a bumper harvest of nearly 15 million metric tons of zinc-enriched wheat in the last cropping season, strengthening food security and fostering healthier communities. Key to this achievement was the training and empowerment of women farmers, equipping them with the skills to adopt farming practices.

Over 4,730 smallholder farmers, including 3,135 women (66% of the total), joined the training programs organized by the international agency HarvestPlus across nine districts during the 2024-2025 cropping season. These initiatives covered modern techniques, seed procurement, crop management, and loss prevention, while also incorporating nutrition education.

For many women, this was the first opportunity to access the knowledge and resources to boost their yields and improve their well-being.

“I first learned about zinc-enriched wheat Akbar-19 during a training session conducted by HarvestPlus in my village,” said Yasmeen, a farmer from Vehari district. “After the training, I cultivated Akbar-19 and achieved a yield of 2,400 kilograms per acre, compared to 1,600 kilograms from conventional varieties. This has not only increased my income but also ensured my family consumes nutritious food daily.”

Another farmer, Shazia Bibi from Lodhran, shared how subsidized seeds and training on zinc-enriched wheat cultivation helped her achieve better yields and financial security. “We now save seeds for the next season and share our knowledge with neighbours, encouraging them to grow zinc-enriched wheat,” she said.

The introduction of zinc-enriched wheat is especially significant in tackling malnutrition. Zinc plays a crucial role in immune function, growth, and development. Its deficiency, associated with stunted growth and higher susceptibility to infections, remains prevalent in Pakistan. Integrating bio-fortified crops into everyday diets can lead to substantial health improvements.

Empowering women in agriculture is an essential step toward reducing Pakistan’s gender gap, as the country ranks 145 out of 146 nations on the Global Gender Gap Index 2024. Women, who form the backbone of agricultural labour, often have limited access to knowledge and resources. By addressing this inequality, initiatives like HarvestPlus’s training programs create opportunities for women to transform their households’ nutritional and economic status.

“Through targeted interventions, we are improving the livelihoods and health outcomes of thousands of smallholder farming families,” said Yaqub Mujahid, Country Manager at HarvestPlus Pakistan. He attributed the success to the ‘Expanding Nutrients in Food Systems’ project, supported by the Government of Canada.

Experts stress the importance of ongoing investment in capacity-building for women farmers, subsidies for bio-fortified crops, and policy reforms for gender equality. In addressing malnutrition and gender disparities, empowering women with innovative agricultural practices offers a pathway to a healthier, more equitable future in Pakistan.