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The scaling of Akbar 2019, a zinc-enriched wheat variety, marks a transformational shift in Pakistan’s agricultural and nutritional landscape. Just a few years after its official release in 2019, biofortified zinc wheat now spans over 42 percent of Pakistan’s total wheat cropping area. This significant scaling success has maintained momentum, mobilizing substantial investment in the agricultural…

In a dusty village on the outskirts of Faisalabad, eight-year-old Bilal shuffles into class with a dull ache in his limbs and a vacant look in his eyes. His growth has long been stunted, his energy drained, and his capacity to learn severely compromised—all because of the invisible crisis of micronutrient deficiency. Born to a…

In a small village in Faisalabad, Pakistan, HarvestPlus Solutions launched a groundbreaking school meal pilot project, aiming to improve the health and well-being of local students. With the support of the Government of Canada through a HarvestPlus-funded project, this innovative initiative provided nutritious meals to school learners and fostered sustainable market linkages, ensuring the program’s long-term…

Widespread cultivation of biofortified zinc wheat has mobilized considerable investment into the agricultural sector and during the 2024–25 cropping season alone, approximately 178,000 metric tons of certified zinc wheat seeds were planted. This initiative mobilized over USD 85 million annually in public and private sector investments, with nearly 80 percent coming from private companies. The…

In a groundbreaking effort to combat hidden hunger and malnutrition, Pakistan launched a nationwide awareness campaign to promote climate smart biofortified zinc wheat varieties. The initiative, which ran through the 2024-25 wheat cropping season, aimed to empower smallholder farmers particularly women with knowledge and skills they need, enhance nutrition security, and boost livelihoods for millions.…

Nutritious Agri Future (Pvt) Ltd (NAF), a network entity of HarvestPlus Solutions, has announced strategic partnerships with key academic institutions, including the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore. Two separate tripartite agreements were signed between HarvestPlus, NAF, and these academic institutions to advance biofortification research, product…

Pakistan ranks 145th out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2024. This concerning performance reflects significant gender disparities, prompting calls for renewed efforts to enhance gender equality in all key sectors. Women play a vital role in agri-food systems, but their working conditions and economic opportunities are impacted by gender inequalities. They receive…

The rise of the biofortified zinc-enriched wheat variety Akbar 2019 marks a significant milestone in Punjab’s agricultural landscape, emerging as the largest choice among wheat varieties. Spearheaded by HarvestPlus and its public, and private sector partners, this success story unveils the intricate web of efforts and collaborations that propelled Akbar 2019 to its status as…

The rapid scaling of zinc-enriched wheat is touching new heights in Pakistan. Wheat is the main staple crop, consumed by over 90 percent of the population, with an average per capita annual consumption of 87 kilograms, among the highest in the world. HarvestPlus and its public and private sector partners have implemented several innovative and…

Unexpected temperature variability and extreme weather events have resulted in a reduction in the nutritional value of staple crops in Pakistan. The yield of rice reduced drastically in rice-growing areas of upper Sindh in 2020 and 2021, and the produce also lacked the required nutritional value due to extreme weather variability. While commenting on the…

Flooding in Pakistan continues to threaten the livelihood, nutrition, and food security of smallholder farming families. This climatic catastrophe has impacted over 33 million people and more than 1,730 people are reported to have lost their lives. The loss of household income and assets coupled with rising food prices and disease outbreaks are negatively impacting…

A three-day national dialogue engaged multi-sectoral specialists on diversification and sustainable intensification of climate resilient crops and food and nutrition security. In collaboration with HarvestPlus and other partners, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council organized the dialogue, themed ‘Harnessing Agriculture Potential to Boost Pakistan’s Economy’. It provided a platform for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to deliberate…