Farmers save water in sugarcane cultivation

Sugarcane is a water intensive crop that uses up to millions of litres of water per hectare. In Pakistan, Solidaridad trains farmers to grow more sugarcane while using less water and agrochemical inputs. This improves farmer income and reduces the risk of water conflicts.

Target

Improve farming practices of 4.000 cane farmers. Better farming practices result in lower production costs, increased production and a reduced environmental impact.

Reason

Irrigation and fertilizer applications in Pakistan are characterized by low efficiency. While farmers have high expenses, their productivity is low. This results in a low farmer income and increased water stress, which can both fuel conflicts.

Activities

• Farmers are trained in farmer field schools by other sugarcane farmers. There are exchanges between farming communities to learn from each other.
• A weekly radio programme educates farmers in best practices.
• A street theatre tours the sugarcane producing areas to create awareness of practical solutions in sugarcane farming.

Results

• 4.000 cane farmers have been trained.
• Production of these farmers has increased.
• Thousands of famers have been sensitized to the possibilities that best practices can offer.

Facts

Location: Pakistan, districts of Faisalabad and Jhang, 4,000 hectares.
Duration: 3 years
Budget: € 112,710
Partners: WWF Pakistan and Caritas-Pakistan.