By Azeem Ahmed Khan
ISLAMABAD, March 31 (Wealth Pakistan) — The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has proposed a Rs400 million project to restore degraded rangelands and promote climate-resilient livestock development in Pakistan’s arid and semi-arid regions.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the five-year initiative will run from July 2026 to June 2031. It aims to improve rangeland management and increase livestock productivity in areas facing harsh climate and limited forage.
Focus on rangeland restoration
The project, titled “Climate-Resilient Rangeland Improvement and Sustainable Livestock Development through Digital Monitoring in Arid Regions of Pakistan”, will restore degraded land through revegetation and better vegetation cover.
It will also introduce silvopastoral systems, ranching models, and alley-cropping. These approaches will improve forage availability and support sustainable grazing practices.
In addition, the project will promote the mass multiplication of elite rangeland species. It will also establish seed and fodder banks to ensure a steady supply of quality forage in dryland regions.
Use of modern technology
A key feature of the project is the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. These tools will support digital monitoring of rangelands.
They will help improve grazing management, water use, and overall land productivity.
Institutional collaboration
The Rangeland Research Institute at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) will implement the project under the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council.
Several institutions will collaborate on the initiative. These include the Arid Zone Research Center (AZRC) Quetta, AZRI Bahawalpur, AZRI Dera Ismail Khan, and AZRI Umerkot.
Alignment with national priorities
The project aligns with key national and international frameworks. These include the government’s 5Es Framework, the 13th Five-Year Plan, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the National Agriculture Innovation and Growth Program.
It will support sustainable rangeland management, forage development, and improved productivity of indigenous livestock breeds. It will also strengthen the resilience of pastoral communities.
Economic and social impact
The initiative is expected to reduce feed costs and increase livestock productivity. As a result, rural incomes are likely to rise.
Moreover, the project will promote community participation. It will include pastoralists, youth, and women, and help build local capacity in rangeland and livestock management.
Environmental benefits
The project will contribute to desertification control and biodiversity conservation. It will also support soil carbon sequestration and climate adaptation in arid ecosystems.
Key deliverables
The project will restore rangeland areas and improve vegetation cover. It will establish seed and fodder banks and develop a GIS-based monitoring system.
In addition, it will train farmers, pastoralists, and technical workers. It aims to improve livestock productivity, reduce disease and mortality, and increase household income.
Overall, the initiative will strengthen institutional and community capacity. It will also support long-term livestock development in Pakistan’s arid regions.