Pakistan’s economy is based on agriculture and key industries such as textiles, sugarcane, rice, dairy, etc., are dependent on agriculture for the provision of raw material. Yet, the production of key commodities is unsustainable, with a large environmental footprint and low return to producers.

These problems are further confounded by inefficiencies beyond the farm gate, where resource-intensive methods, characterised by high energy consumption, excessive water use, pollution and effluents, exert greater environmental pressures.  The production and consumption of some commodities can have disastrous effects on species and landscape biodiversity, causing deforestation, land and water degradation, and significant greenhouse gas emissions.

Particularly, the way we are producing and consuming food is putting strain on the planet. Reliance on monoculture, exotic/cross breeds, high yielding varieties, mechanisation, and misuse of agricultural chemicals coupled with over extraction of ground water have caused negative impacts on natural resources at all levels.

WWF-Pakistan aims to create a modern, efficient and diversified agricultural sector that can ensure a stable and adequate supply of basic food supplies for the country’s population, and provide high quality products to its industries and for export.

We are working across both agricultural systems and market value chains to foster sustainability at every step:

Sustainable Food and Agriculture Production: By engaging farmers and primary producers in adopting sustainable agricultural practices, WWF is driving compliance with global standards. This includes climate-resilient farming, water stewardship, agroforestry, and efficient use of resources, all while maintaining food security and supporting the livelihoods of farmers.

Sustainable Market Practices: WWF promotes a market-based approach to environmental protection by encouraging businesses and industries to adopt sustainable production methods. The aim is to create a market environment that values sustainability and drives demand for eco-friendly, certified products—both locally and internationally.

Reducing Environmental Impact Across Supply Chains: WWF focuses on reducing inefficiencies in commodity supply chains, which include high water and energy usage, pollution from processing industries, and a lack of capacity to add value sustainably. This helps minimise the ecological footprint of key sectors like textiles, rice, dairy, and sugarcane, which are essential to Pakistan’s economy.

Tackling Food Waste and Loss: Reducing food wastage across the entire value chain, from farm to consumer, is crucial for improving food security and easing pressure on natural resources. WWF works with producers and supply chain actors to reduce food loss both on-farm and off-farm, ensuring more food reaches vulnerable communities.