Yasir Ali, a 35-year-old father of three, lives in Bachat Korona village in Tehsil Shabqadar, District Charsadda. For most of his life, Yasir depended on seasonal maize farming to support his extended family, which includes his elderly parents, wife, and children. Farming in this flood-prone area has always been challenging, but in recent years, the effects of climate change — erratic rainfall, hailstorms, and prolonged dry spells — have pushed traditional agriculture to the brink of unsustainability.
As maize yields declined year after year, Yasir found himself trapped in a cycle of effort and loss. Despite working tirelessly, his annual income remained around PKR 25,000 (USD 90) —barely enough to meet basic household needs, let alone cope with emergencies or invest in improved farming practices.
“Every season felt the same,” Yasir recalled. “We planted our crops, prayed for good weather, and then watched months of hard work disappear because of floods or drought.”
This cycle began to break when CESVI, through the Building Resilience through Asset Creation and Value Chain Enhancement (BRAVE) Project funded by FCDO, introduced climate-smart agriculture practices in his community. Yasir joined the project’s Farmer Field School (FFS) and was selected as a beneficiary for bitter gourd cultivation under a climate-resilient farming model.
Through the FFS, Yasir received hands-on technical training in vertical farming techniques, efficient fertilizer application, and improved crop management. He was also provided with quality inputs, including improved seeds, DAP, and UREA fertilizers. A key innovation was the introduction of vertical trellis farming using clutch wires and poles—an approach that saved space, reduced wind damage, and improved sunlight exposure.
Yasir’s first bitter gourd harvest yielded only 20 kilograms, mainly due to initial learning challenges and excessive shade. However, with continued guidance and practice, his productivity increased significantly. The second cultivation cycle yielded 75 kilograms, followed by 105 kilograms in the third cycle. With improved post-harvest handling and access to markets, Yasir now expects to earn between PKR 100,000 and 125,000 from bitter gourd cultivation alone—nearly five times his previous income from maize.
“This project changed how I farm and how I think,” Yasir said. “I didn’t know about vertical farming or climate-smart techniques before. Now I’m not only earning more, but I’m also protecting my crops from climate risks.”
The impact of the intervention was clearly visible in the village. Farmers who did not participate in the CESVI-supported activities continued to struggle with low yields and limited crop diversification, while beneficiaries like Yasir began to see tangible improvements in productivity and income.
Challenges remain. Unpredictable hailstorms damaged early flowering, and shade from nearby trees affected some plots. However, consistent technical backstopping, regular follow-ups, and the presence of trained field teams helped farmers like Yasir turn setbacks into learning opportunities.
Today, Yasir is not only contributing more securely to his household income but has also emerged as a local advocate for climate-smart agriculture. He actively participates in community awareness sessions, sharing his experience and encouraging other farmers to adopt modern, resilient farming practices.
“For the first time, I feel my farming can survive the weather, the market, and the future,” Yasir reflected. “I want my children to grow up without fearing the next flood or failed crop.”
Yasir’s journey is one of many that demonstrate how targeted, climate-resilient interventions can transform rural livelihoods. By combining technical knowledge, resource support, and community-based learning, the BRAVE Project is helping farming households move from uncertainty to opportunity—and from subsistence to sustainable resilience.
