Jamila, a single mother of three daughters from Khanewal, Pakistan, has overcome immense challenges to secure a better future for her family. After her husband’s tragic death in a road accident ten years ago, she was left without a stable income, relying on her in-laws for support. In Pakistan, where women face significant barriers to economic participation and rank near the bottom of the Global Gender Gap Index, Jamila’s prospects initially seemed uncertain. Social norms often discourage women from engaging in male-dominated markets, making it even harder for them to earn an independent livelihood.

With support from HarvestPlus Solutions, Jamila’s life began to change. She received training on product development and marketing of nutritious foods and was provided with a small-scale flour mill (Atta Chakki) and a solar energy system installed at her home. The intervention enabled her to start an entrepreneurial venture without having to navigate male-dominated marketplaces. This initiative was started under HarvestPlus-funded project “Expanding Nutrients in Food Systems” with support from the Government of Canada. To address the challenge of soaring energy costs and frequent power outages, the project linked the chakki to a solar energy system—an innovation that significantly reduced her operational costs.

“HarvestPlus Solutions has been a blessing for me and my family,” said Jamila. “Their support has given me the confidence and skills to start my own business, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to provide a better future for my daughters. The whole grain wheat flour prepared from zinc wheat is gaining popularity and helping improve nutrition in my community.”

Today, Jamila confidently operates her solar-powered chakki mill, generating a steady income that meets her household needs while providing affordable milling services to her neighbors. The reduced production costs mean she can offer milling at a lower price, benefiting her community as well. The solar system also provides energy to her house, reducing the electricity bills significantly and saving the cost. Her daughters are now able to attend school regularly, and the family enjoys nutritious foods and a more secure and dignified life.

Jamila is one of six women in Punjab and Sindh pioneering this transformation by converting their small wheat mills into solar-powered enterprises. This initiative boosts women’s economic empowerment and makes nutritious zinc wheat more accessible and affordable in their communities. In a country where gender segregation and limited market access pose significant challenges, stories like Jamila’s exemplify resilience and progress. Such interventions are impactful and offer scalable and sustainable models to empower women and improve community nutrition.

By enabling women to adopt new technologies that lower costs, bring nutritious food to communities, and expand market opportunities, the ENFS project is helping to transform livelihoods and food systems in Pakistan. With the right support, women can break barriers, uplift their families, and inspire meaningful change in their communities.