CASE STUDIES
Case Study 1
Learning to Earning: A story of Sardar Masih
Sardar Masih, a farmer from Chak 65/5L, Sahiwal, has tilled his ancestral land for years, but reliance on chemical fertilizers and external inputs had left him in debt and his soil depleted. In 2022, the SAFBIN Program introduced him to organic farming through a village training session. Motivated by the potential for a more sustainable and affordable approach, Sardar began to adopt organic practices, including composting, bio-pest repellents, inter-cropping, and water conservation.
Determined to turn his situation around, Sardar gradually embraced organic farming. He diversified his farm, incorporating poultry, fruit trees, livestock, and composting, significantly reducing his dependence on costly external inputs. Over two years, these practices revitalized his soil, improved water retention, and reduced erosion, leading to healthier crops and more stable yields.
Despite the challenges of manual labor and careful management, Sardar’s successful shift has inspired other farmers in the area. His farm now serves as a model for sustainable agriculture. Sardar remains grateful to Caritas Pakistan for introducing the SAFBIN Program, which has transformed his farming practices and improved his family’s livelihood.
Case Study 2
Access to agriculture land means a lot to a landless farmer
Pervez Masih, a small farmer from Khokharki Malian village in Sheikhupura district, is the proud father of one daughter and two sons. With only one acre of land, he cultivates wheat, paddy, and fodder for his two cows. His village, located 15 km from Sheikhupura city on Gujranwala Road, lacks basic facilities. However, Pervez’s life took a positive turn when he joined the Smallholder Farmer Collective (SHFC) under the SAFBIN Project initiated by Caritas Pakistan in 2021.
Through this project, Pervez received financial assistance to lease an additional acre of land, which has significantly improved his family’s livelihood. Last season, he harvested 35 maunds (1,400 kg) of wheat, selling most of it and keeping a portion for household use. With guidance from SAFBIN, he also grows evergreen grass for his livestock, reducing costs and improving his cow’s milk production and health. Additionally, he practices kitchen gardening to meet his family’s vegetable needs. This support has not only increased Pervez’s income but also enhanced his family’s food security and nutrition, for which they are deeply grateful to Caritas Pakistan.
Case Study 3
The Transition from Chemical Agriculture to Organic Farming
Muhmmad Saleem, a smallholder farmer from Malian Kalan, Sheikhupura, faced significant challenges in his farming journey. Owning just two acres, he cultivated crops like wheat, paddy, and vegetables, relying heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This approach led to high production costs and low yields, pushing him to consider leaving farming due to financial strain.
However, the introduction of the SAFBIN program in his village transformed his outlook. Through various training sessions on organic farming, Saleem embraced sustainable agriculture. Over the past 18 months, he has fully transitioned to organic farming, integrating diverse crops such as Lady Finger, Bitter Gourd, Turmeric, and more.
By using bio-pesticides, farmyard manure, and green manuring, he has reduced his wheat production costs by 54% and increased yield by 11%. He also applies organic methods in livestock rearing, focusing on value-added products like butter and ghee. His farm now stands as a model of resilience against climate change, inspiring other farmers to adopt sustainable practices and achieve better yields on smaller plots of land.
Case Study 4
Land tenure security helps Rafaqat to improve food security
Rafaqat Masih, a landless farmer from Mughal Chak, Gujranwala, faced economic challenges that often led him to shift between farming and off-farm activities. His situation changed with the SAFBIN Program, which began in his village in October 2021. As a member of the SAFBIN-supported Self-Help Farming Cooperative (SHFC), Rafaqat received training on sustainable agriculture and climate change adaptation, along with lease support of PKR 19,700 (about €85) to acquire one acre of land. Contributing an equal share, he secured a lease and began cultivating wheat, fodder, and Napier grass.
By April 2023, Rafaqat harvested 1,720 kg of wheat, selling 1,200 kg and keeping 480 kg for his family. This not only improved his income but also his confidence in farming as a primary occupation. He further diversified by growing Napier grass for his cow, enhancing milk production and reducing fodder costs. This self-sufficiency allowed him to save on market purchases for milk, vegetables, and wheat while generating extra income from surplus milk sales.
Rafaqat’s success with SAFBIN has revitalized his farming efforts, improved his family’s food security, and strengthened his commitment to continue paying lease money annually. His wife actively supports him in farm activities, and together, they are building a more prosperous future. Rafaqat is deeply grateful to SAFBIN for its role in transforming his livelihood and securing his land tenure.
CASE STUDY 5
For a person who keeps cattle, his/her cattle are like his/her children. These cattle source of income for that person. But if the cattle are not in good condition, it is very difficult to keep them. So, a good place like sheds is essential for the good health of cattle. The cattle should be kept in good place where they may be safe from any climatic changes. I am Shazia w/o Sadiq. I live in chak#148/5-L Tehsil and District Sahiwal. I am 45 years old and have four children to rise. My husband is a farmer. We have 01 acre landed earns a very low income which is monthly PKR 20,000. This income is very low for us and we meet our financial needs hardly. We have to pay school fees of children, utility bills, grocery and other needs. I have 2 cows and two calves. It was really a tough task for us to keep our cattle in good condition because we did not have a cowshed for them. I was making some milk from my cows, which was enough for my family, and I was also selling some of milk which helped me to purchase my daily food. But due to cowshed now when our cattle were ill all those things effect badly. Due to this reason, we face multiple issues in different seasons. We had to keep them in open area without any shed because we were unable to afford the cowshed. One cattle got ill and we were unable to pay a veterinary, in the result we had to sell our cattle in low price. This was great loss for the family but we were forced to do that. Mr. George Gill-VRP (Village Resource Person-CPF) visited our area and conducted a door-to-door visit, there I got a chance to meet and be a part of Smallholder Farmer committee. According to the need of smallholder farmers Caritas Pakistan Faisalabad and SHFC members enlisted the names of most vulnerable farmers for the cowshed material Distribution. On the distribution day, I received a Cowshed material from the blessed hands of His Excellency Bishop Dr. Indrias Rehmat (Catholic Diocese of Faisalabad) and Mr.Amjad Gulzar Executive Director Caritas Pakistan.
