Section 42 not-for-profit company, Pakistan

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What we do

Livelihood Sustainability

Livelihood Sustainability

FIDA strengthens the incomes and resilience of smallholder farmers, rural women and youth through participatory learning, productive assets and, since 2026, social protection and inclusion initiatives.

The challenge

Agriculture remains the largest source of work in Pakistan, accounting for about 35 percent of total employment. Yet most farms are small. The Seventh Agricultural Census (2025) shows that an overwhelming share are under five acres, which leaves families with limited land, credit and bargaining power. Rural women carry a heavy share of farm work, but fewer than one percent of farms are headed by women. Rising input costs, uncertain markets and a changing climate add to the pressure. For smallholder farmers, rural women and youth, the challenge is not a lack of effort. It is a lack of skills, productive assets, fair market access and protection against shocks.

Sources: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Labour Force Survey 2024-25; Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Seventh Agricultural Census 2025.

Our approach

Farmer Field Schools and Farmer Training of Facilitators build practical farming skills in the field, while Women Open Schools extend learning and income opportunities to rural women. Technical and vocational training prepares young women and men for work and enterprise.

Key interventions

  • Season-long Farmer Field Schools and training of local facilitators
  • Technical and vocational skills for rural youth, girls and boys
  • Goat-rearing training for women and distribution of goats as productive assets
  • Monthly cash sponsorship for widow- and child-headed families (2026)
  • Grocery stores, family poultry farms, auto rickshaws, sewing machines and shelter support for vulnerable families (2026)
  • Wheelchairs and cycle wheelchairs for persons with disabilities (2026)

Results in numbers

  • 1,002Farmer Field Schools established
  • 190Farmer facilitators graduated (FToF)
  • 3,365Youth equipped with technical and vocational skills
  • 173Women trained in goat rearing
  • 1,801Goats distributed
  • 205+Vulnerable individuals and households supported in 2026

Related projects

See all projects

Models used

Farmer Training of Facilitators (FToF), Farmer Field School (FFS) and Women Open School (WOS).

Read about our approach

Partners and donors

Donors and partners for individual projects are listed on each project page.

[TO BE PROVIDED BY FIDA] Key partners for Livelihood Sustainability (names and one line on each role).

SDG alignment

  • SDG 1: No poverty
  • SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
[TO BE PROVIDED BY FIDA] Indicative SDG alignment drafted for review. FIDA to confirm the goals and targets it reports against.

Stories from the field

[TO BE PROVIDED BY FIDA] Add success stories (150-200 words and one photo each) under Stories. A story appears only after informed consent is ticked.

Resources and downloads

[TO BE PROVIDED BY FIDA] Add reports and publications under Publications (type, year, PDF file, cover image).

Work with us on Livelihood Sustainability

FIDA welcomes partnerships with donors, government departments, research institutions and civil society.

Partner with us