Sindh rolls out SWAT Program to boost climate-smart farming

The Sindh Agriculture Department has launched the Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) Program under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Project to train farmers in modern techniques, said Agriculture Minister Sardar Muhammad Bux Mahar.

The programme aims to teach farmers methods to boost crop yields, improve plant growth, control pests, and cultivate using less water. “The Sindh government has prepared a comprehensive plan to combat climate change and safeguard the province’s agriculture sector,” Mahar added, emphasising that the initiative will raise incomes and ensure food security.

The five-year project, running until 2028, will establish 180 field schools and train 4,500 farmers.

In the first phase, 750 farmers are receiving training this year, with 30 demo plots and field schools set up in Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, and Badin to demonstrate techniques such as laser land levelling, row planting of wheat, and balanced fertiliser use.

At Khorwah Minor in Badin, wheat has been planted using a zero-tillage technique, which uses residual moisture after rice harvesting, saving costs, water, and labour while benefiting the environment.

After training, farmers will receive subsidies to adopt these modern methods on their own land.

Mahar highlighted climate change as a major threat to Pakistan’s agriculture, causing crop damage and financial losses. He said the Sindh government is taking practical steps through farmer training to address the challenge.

The Climate-Smart Agriculture initiative, inaugurated at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad in 2024, is funded by the United States and aims to equip Pakistani farmers with sustainable methods to improve crop resilience nationwide.