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Empowering women in Pakistan: A story of entrepreneurship and transformation

Summary

CABI’s initiatives in Pakistan are empowering women through entrepreneurship and skills training. Projects in Better Cotton and small-scale potato production are giving female entrepreneurs opportunities to build and grow their businesses in agriculture and sewing. Women in rural areas have gained economic independence and leadership skills, transforming gender roles and benefitting their communities to boost local prosperity. 

The story

Women’s empowerment is a core part of CABI’s mission. Last year, we supported projects that put female entrepreneurship front and centre in Pakistan. The Better Cotton Growth & Innovation Fund (Better Cotton GIF) is a fund that goes beyond cotton farming. Among other things, it helps women in cotton-growing communities to set up small- scale businesses. As an implementing partner, CABI trained women in agriculture and sewing. And under the small-scale potato growers project, CABI trained female farmers in potato production. These initiatives have empowered hundreds of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. 

Sewing skills initiative: Breaking barriers in Matiari 

CABI recognizes the power of skills training in women’s empowerment. Under Better Cotton GIF, CABI delivered a sewing entrepreneurship programme in Matiari. This is a remote, rural district in Pakistan where rural women receive no formal education. The programme aimed to break the cycle of poverty and empower women economically and socially. 

The programme set up eight sewing centres, distributing machines and supplies. Through a ‘chain of empowerment’, master trainers trained 10 women in each village. This fostered a community of skilled entrepreneurs. The impact has been profound. Using their new sewing skills, women have gained economic independence, contributing to their families’ well-being. They also expressed newfound confidence and leadership skills. These female rural business leaders are creating a positive environment in which other women can upskill and develop even more entrepreneurial skills. 

Meghi’s journey: From monsoon disaster to farming entrepreneur 

In 2022, devasting monsoons in Pakistan wreaked havoc on vegetable crops. They left families like Meghi’s in Began Hingorjo grappling with food insecurity. Meghi, with her husband and eight children, faced food shortages. Better Cotton GIF emerged as a lifeline offering Meghi, and dozens more women, kitchen gardening training. In 2023, CABI equipped these women, who had come from disadvantaged backgrounds, with the skills to cultivate nutritious food at home. 

Female trainers played a crucial role. They showed women how to prepare the soil and plant vegetable seeds for the best yields. Meghi, empowered by this knowledge, transformed half an acre of land into a thriving vegetable garden. Beyond meeting her family’s needs, she began selling her harvest to local shops. This generated income to support her children’s education. Meghi has transformed her life. She has gone from a housewife to an independent female entrepreneur. And she now contributes financially to her household. 

Potato value chains: Redefining gender roles in agriculture 

Women constitute two-thirds of Pakistan’s agricultural labour force, but gender norms hinder their access to agricultural knowledge. While they often work in potato production, few earn a good income from it. However, a potato value chains project challenged gender norms. The initiative empowered almost 200 women farmers and labourers. 

CABI delivered training sessions on various aspects of potato farming, from Integrated Pest Management to seed potato cultivation. Empowered with new knowledge, women started to actively participate in all stages of the potato value chain. They now connect with input providers and supervise field activities. This has led to improved produce and better market opportunities. The project has increased women’s earnings and positioned them as leaders in their communities. Women now train other women to build sustainable businesses. 

These projects have dispelled gender stereotypes and fostered entrepreneurship. The initiatives have transformed individual lives. But they have also contributed to the prosperity of whole communities. Through empowering endeavours, women are becoming architects of their own success. Together, they are rewriting the limitations they faced into stories of resilience and achievement. 

Sustainable Development Goals


No Poverty

Helping small-scale farmers improve their livelihoods by providing knowledge about plant health and access to markets.

Zero Hunger

Developing a sustainable food system that helps smallholders meet the world's growing need for food.

Quality Education

Support development and prosperity by seeking out, organizing and making evidence based knowledge with those that need it.

Gender Equality

Empowering women and young people to play a more powerful role in the future of agriculture.

Partnerships for the Goals

Organizations must develop and enhance partnerships to find the best and most sustainable solutions to the world's challenges.

Related projects

Capacity building of small-scale potato growers in Punjab, Pakistan

Potato is an important crop in Pakistan for both consumers and producers. It is nutritious, produces high returns and there is a potential to increase yields by using good potato cultivation practices. However, a lack of knowledge concerning these is inhibiting many smallholder farmers in their effort to raise productivity. Furthermore, unsuitable management of threats, such as pests and diseases, increases losses. In this project, CABI aims to mitigate challenges faced in the smallholder potato sector by building the capacity of small-scale potato growers, and in particular women, in good agricultural practices, including the sustainable and safe use of pesticides, in the Punjab province of Pakistan.  

Start: 01/12/2020 End: 31/05/2023