Pakistan

What This Is

We bridge scientific innovation to large-scale impact by working across the agricultural ecosystem with governments, private sector partners, research institutions, development organizations, and farmers. Together, we scale proven solutions that deliver climate- and nutrition-smart crops through sustainable seed systems, early generation seed production, market-based approaches, and evidence-led policy advocacy.

What It Looks Like in Pakistan

Over 198 million people—approximately 76 percent of the population—consume zinc-enriched wheat, including more than 31 million children under five years of age. Over 204,000 metric tons of certified zinc wheat seed were planted in 2025, an increase of nearly 10 percent over the previous year. Over 45 percent of Pakistan’s wheat cultivation area was planted with zinc wheat.

What This Is

This starts with investing in early generation seed (EGS) production and connecting private seed companies with varietal development institutions. We then build demand for zinc wheat seed among farmers so they can grow more nutritious wheat. From there, we strengthen market linkages by connecting farmers with buyers, chakki millers, and processors, while creating commercial demand by working with food companies to bring zinc wheat flour to market—turning a nutritious grain into products that consumers can buy

What It Looks Like in Pakistan

Working with more than 390 seed companies, millers, research institutions, government agencies, and market partners, HarvestPlus Solutions helped scale zinc wheat across Pakistan. In 2025, more than 15 million metric tons of zinc wheat grain were produced, worth USD 5 billion. We also piloted and operationalized six community-based chakki mills in Punjab and Sindh, improving local access to nutritious wheat flour and strengthening market linkages.

What This Is

HPS works with government partners and key stakeholders to create an enabling environment for improved nutrition, strengthening national ownership of biofortification by integrating it into federal and provincial agriculture programs and nutrition policies.

What It Looks Like in Pakistan

Biofortification has been recognized as a key strategy in multisectoral nutrition plans at both the federal and provincial levels. In addition, the Government of Punjab has included zinc wheat varieties in its annual seed subsidy program, expanding farmers’ access to quality seed and encouraging the adoption of zinc wheat.

What This Is

Empowering women farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that play a vital role in Pakistan’s agri-food systems. This includes building their capacity in climate-smart agronomy, quality input selection and use, seed production, grain procurement, nutrition awareness, product development, and the marketing of nutritious food products.

What It Looks Like in Pakistan

More than 12,000 value chain actors have been trained in agronomy, nutrition, and seed production, with women accounting for over half of all participants. Six women-led enterprises received training and solar-powered wheat flour processing units to produce and market whole-grain zinc wheat flour in Sindh and Punjab. The initiative is improving both nutrition and livelihoods in local communities.