Title : Environmentally friendly farming practices: A comparative analysis across two Pakistani districts
Abstract:
Ecological farming, centered on sustainability, biodiversity, and reducing environmental impact, is a key approach to addressing global challenges like food insecurity and ecological degradation. In Pakistan, agriculture plays a foundational role in the national economy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. Food security in semi-arid regions remains quite a challenge due to climate change, where uneven rainfall, soaring temperatures, and soil erosion are likely to pose threats in the agricultural sector. The present study examines the adoption rate and constraints of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in the bank of river Indus, Pakistan, where smallholder farmers are located. This study employed a mixed-methods research design to gather both qualitative and quantitative data from 200 ecological farmers across two neighboring districts—Dera Ismail Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Bhakkar (Punjab). The research employed descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, and chi-square analysis to assess the relationship between socio-economic characteristics and Climate smart agriculture adoption. The goal was to better understand the ecological practices being implemented at the grassroots level. Commonly observed methods included crop rotation, cover cropping, agroforestry, and integrated pest management—strategies that support soil regeneration, enhance biodiversity, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs. Despite their commitment to sustainable practices, farmers encountered several barriers, including limited access to organic inputs, pest and disease challenges, and persistent water shortages. A major limitation remains the lack of institutional support and technological innovation in the farming sector. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved education, gender inclusion, enhanced research funding, better market access, and robust policy frameworks to support and expand ecological farming in Pakistan.
Keywords: Ecological farming, Organic agriculture, Sustainability, Rural development, Pakistan
