Attending Breathe Pakistan 2025 in Islamabad was an unforgettable experience, bringing together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss climate resilience and sustainable development. Among the many insightful discussions, one session stood out as my absolute favorite—“Resilient Agriculture, Forestry & Food Systems in the Period of Climate Change.” Given my background in agriculture and environmental sustainability, this session resonated deeply with me, and I feel compelled to share my key takeaways.
Pakistan’s agricultural sector is at a turning point. With climate change threatening food security, rural livelihoods, and water resources, we need urgent, innovative solutions. This session brought together some of the sharpest minds in climate and agriculture, offering fresh perspectives on how to transform Pakistan’s agricultural landscape. Kazim Saeed, CEO of the Pakistan Agricultural Coalition, spoke about the need for private-sector engagement and innovative business models to drive agricultural growth. He emphasised that sustainable agriculture is not just about survival—it’s about economic transformation, and Pakistan must create scalable solutions that increase productivity while protecting natural resources. Malik Amin Aslam, former Minister for Climate Change, painted a stark picture of the climate crisis Pakistan is already facing. He strongly advocated for shifting investments away from traditional subsidies and towards farm water efficiency. When asked what he would prioritise if given another chance in office, he firmly stated that he would channel more finance into climate adaptation strategies for agriculture—a much-needed shift in policy thinking.
Taimur Malik, co-founder of Drawdown Farm, introduced a concept that I found particularly inspiring—regenerative agriculture. His insights on restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity, and capturing carbon demonstrated how we can move beyond damage control to actually reversing some of the environmental harm done to our ecosystems. His work at Drawdown Farm proves that sustainable agriculture is not just possible—it’s already happening in Pakistan.
Agriculture is not just an industry—it is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and the key to climate resilience
Equally impactful was Dr. Ayesha Khan, an expert in emerging markets and climate finance at Acumen. She highlighted how climate finance can be a game changer in transforming agriculture, particularly in empowering women farmers. She made a compelling argument that Pakistan’s agricultural potential remains largely untapped, and to unlock it, we must invest in gender-inclusive models and innovative financial instruments.
Finally, Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan, raised an important concern—Pakistan’s low investment in agricultural research. With only 0.2% of GDP allocated to research, she stressed that we need to increase this to at least 1% if we truly want to see science-backed solutions drive our food systems forward.
What made this session truly transformative for me was the realisation that we already have the knowledge and expertise to build climate-resilient agriculture. The challenge is no longer about finding solutions—it’s about implementing them at scale and ensuring the right policies and investments support these efforts. This session reinforced my belief that agriculture is not just an industry—it is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and the key to climate resilience. The speakers provided a clear roadmap for change, but the real test lies in translating these ideas into policy reforms, financial commitments, and on-the-ground initiatives. I walked away from this session not just inspired, but determined. As someone who has spent years working in agriculture, water management, and climate action, I see this as a moment of opportunity.
Pakistan has a small window to act before climate change disrupts our food security irreversibly. The insights from Breathe Pakistan 2025 must not remain confined to conference halls—they need to shape national policies and grassroots actions. The future of Pakistan’s agriculture depends on what we do today. The time to act is now.