Rethinking Irrigation | Climate-Smart Farming in Pakistan

In Pakistan, water is no longer guaranteed. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rising temperatures, increasing water stress, and inefficient irrigation practices are placing growing pressure on agriculture, public resources, and long-term resilience. This documentary follows a smart irrigation pilot at the Agriculture Research Institute Takhtaband in Swat, where traditional flood irrigation is being tested alongside solar-powered, data-driven drip systems. By combining renewable energy, real-time soil monitoring, and precision water delivery, the pilot demonstrates how water can be used more efficiently while improving productivity. Led by Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), the initiative was designed to generate practical evidence to inform government decision-making. Building on the results of this pilot, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has developed a PC-1 to replicate the model across 12 additional Agriculture Research Stations, signalling a clear pathway from pilot to policy. This reflects a shift towards smarter public investment, where evidence, local capacity, and technical expertise come together to deliver scalable climate solutions. Supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office under the CF-WRAP programme, with technical expertise provided by ‪@OPMglobal‬ #CFWRAP #SmartIrrigation #ClimateAdaptation #WaterEfficiency #KhyberPakhtunkhwa #ClimateSmartAgriculture #WaterManagement #PakistanAgriculture #SolarIrrigation #AgriInnovation #FCDOPakistan #WaterResilience #SRSP