
‘She Feeds the World programme' successfully concluded
ISLAMABAD: CARE Pakistan with support from PepsiCo Pakistan and in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation's long-term commitment to driving social impact marked the successful conclusion of its flagship She Feeds the World (SFtW) programme with a national event titled, 'She Nourishes Change'. The event brought together policymakers, donors, researchers, civil society members, and community leaders to honour the women leading efforts to redefine agriculture, nutrition, and rural resilience in Pakistan.
Launched in 2023, SFtW was designed to address some of the most pressing challenges in rural Pakistan including climate stress, food insecurity, and limited access to clean water, and the persistent exclusion of women from agricultural systems. What emerged from the fields of Vehari and Okara over two years was not just progress, but transformation.
The programme directly supported over 130,000 people, while indirectly reaching an additional 1.5 million individuals. Women-led Village Savings and Loan Associations mobilized over PKR 8.9 million, enabling the launch of micro-businesses and strengthening financial independence.
The adoption of climate-smart farming practices led to impressive yield increases - maize harvests rose from 63.5 to 74.7 maunds per acre, and potato yields improved from 60.1 to 69.4 maunds per acre. Access to clean water was significantly enhanced through the installation of 10 water filtration plants, which now serve 32,717 people—many of whom gained access to safe drinking water for the first time.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business Recorder
‘She Feeds the World programme' successfully concluded
ISLAMABAD: CARE Pakistan with support from PepsiCo Pakistan and in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation's long-term commitment to driving social impact marked the successful conclusion of its flagship She Feeds the World (SFtW) programme with a national event titled, 'She Nourishes Change'. The event brought together policymakers, donors, researchers, civil society members, and community leaders to honour the women leading efforts to redefine agriculture, nutrition, and rural resilience in Pakistan. Launched in 2023, SFtW was designed to address some of the most pressing challenges in rural Pakistan including climate stress, food insecurity, and limited access to clean water, and the persistent exclusion of women from agricultural systems. What emerged from the fields of Vehari and Okara over two years was not just progress, but transformation. The programme directly supported over 130,000 people, while indirectly reaching an additional 1.5 million individuals. Women-led Village Savings and Loan Associations mobilized over PKR 8.9 million, enabling the launch of micro-businesses and strengthening financial independence. The adoption of climate-smart farming practices led to impressive yield increases - maize harvests rose from 63.5 to 74.7 maunds per acre, and potato yields improved from 60.1 to 69.4 maunds per acre. Access to clean water was significantly enhanced through the installation of 10 water filtration plants, which now serve 32,717 people—many of whom gained access to safe drinking water for the first time. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
FAPUASA for 25pc tax rebate for university teachers & researchers
LAHORE: A delegation from the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA), led by President Prof Dr Mazhar Iqbal, former President Prof Amjad Abbas Magsi, and Central Information Secretary Dr Muhammad Jadoon Khan, participated in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. The session, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, was attended by Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Rashid Mehmood Langrial, and other distinguished committee members. The FAPUASA delegation was invited to present its stance on the federal higher education budget and the continuation of the 25% tax rebate for university teachers and researchers. The representatives argued that this rebate serves as a crucial incentive to retain top academic talent, attract young scholars, and prevent brain drain from Pakistan's universities. They warned that removing this benefit would demotivate academics and weaken the country's research capacity. Additionally, the delegation stressed the need to increase the Higher Education Commission's recurring grant to at least PKR 86 billion, as currently requested by the HEC, and gradually raise it to PKR 200 billion to ensure sustainable funding for higher education. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance acknowledged FAPUASA's concerns and unanimously recommended the approval of their demands. The delegation expressed gratitude to the committee for providing a platform to address academic issues at the parliamentary level. Continuing their advocacy efforts, the FAPUASA delegation held further meetings with key policymakers on the following day. They met with Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) MNA Mir Amir Ali Khan Magsi, presenting their case and seeking his support. Magsi assured the delegation of his full backing and committed to raising their concerns in Parliament. Meanwhile, FAPUASA delegation, comprising Central President Prof Dr Mazhar Iqbal, former President Prof Dr Amjad Abbas Magsi, Islamabad Chapter President Dr Muhammad Iqbal Jatoi, and Central Information Secretary Dr Muhammad Jadoon Khan, engaged in discussions with senior government officials and political leaders. They met with Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Federal Minister for Science and Technology Nawabzada Khalid Hussain Magsi. The delegation also held talks with prominent Pakistan Peoples Party leaders, including Syed Naveed Qamar, Mir Ijaz Khan Jakhrani (Chief Whip, National Assembly), Dr Nafisa Shah, Syed Agha Rafi Ullah, Syed Abrar Hussain Shah, and Pullain Baloch of the National Party, Balochistan. Additionally, they met with MQM representatives Farooq Sattar, Amin-ul-Haq, and Javed Hanif. During these meetings, FAPUASA highlighted the declining state of higher education in Pakistan and called for urgent measures to protect the sector. The delegation reiterated the necessity of maintaining the 25% tax exemption for university faculty and researchers, warning that its abolition would have severe repercussions. They also emphasized the need for increased financial support for higher education institutions to ensure accessibility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The delegation urged the federal government to raise the recurring budget for higher education to at least PKR 200 billion and commended the Sindh government for its consistent funding of the sector. The parliamentarians endorsed FAPUASA's demands, particularly regarding the tax rebate, and assured the delegation that they would advocate for these issues in Parliament and other relevant forums. The meetings concluded with the FAPUASA delegation thanking the lawmakers for their support in safeguarding Pakistan's higher education system. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
THE RUPEE PKR: marginal decline
KARACHI: The Pakistani rupee posted marginal decline against the US dollar, depreciating 0.03% during trading in the interbank market on Thursday. At close, the local currency settled at 283.64, a loss of Re0.09 against the greenback. On Wednesday, the local unit closed at 283.55. Internationally, the US dollar firmed on Thursday, buoyed by safe-haven demand due to the looming threat of a broader conflict in the Middle East and possible US involvement, while investors weighed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's cautionary tone on inflation. After a muted start in Asia hours, the US dollar advanced across the board, weighing heavily on risk sensitive currencies after a report said US officials are preparing for the possibility of a strike on Iran in the coming days. The Australian dollar fell as much as 0.5% but was last down 0.3% at $0.6489, while the New Zealand dollar slipped 0.5% to $0.5998. Emerging market currencies also struggled, with the South Korean won 1% weaker. Rapidly rising geopolitical tensions have led to the dollar swiftly reclaiming its safe-haven status, making inroads against the yen, euro and the Swiss franc. Iran and Israel traded further air attacks on Thursday, with the conflict entering its seventh day. Concerns over potential U.S. involvement have also grown, as President Donald Trump kept the world guessing about whether the United States will join Israel's bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites. The conflict has heightened fears of broader regional instability, compounded by the spillover effects of the Gaza war. Oil prices, a key indicator of currency parity, rose on Thursday after Israel and Iran continued to exchange missile attacks overnight and US. President Donald Trump's stance on the conflict kept investors on edge. Brent crude futures rose $1.60, or 2.1%, to $78.29 a barrel by 1030 ET. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for Julywas up $1.64, or 2.1%, at $78.34. Brent had surged to its highest in nearly five months at $78.50 on June 13, when Israel began its attacks. Open-market movement In the open market, the PKR lost 27 paise for buying and 11 paise for selling against USD, closing at 284.13 and 285.69, respectively. Against Euro, the PKR gained 64 paise for buying and 88 paise for selling, closing at 324.57 and 327.45, respectively. Against UAE Dirham, the PKR lost 15 paise for buying and 10 paise for selling, closing at 77.28 and 78.02, respectively. Against Saudi Riyal, the PKR lost 15 paise for buying and 9 paise for selling, closing at 75.55 and 76.25, respectively. ======================== Open Bid Rs 284.13 Open Offer Rs 285.69 ======================== Interbank Closing Rates: Interbank Closing Rates For Dollar on Thursday ======================== Open Bid Rs 283.64 Open Offer Rs 283.84 ======================== RUPEE IN LAHORE: The Pak rupee stayed stable against the US while gaining impressively against the British pound. According to local market sources, the Pak rupee closed at Rs 285.25 and Rs 285.70 against the US dollar compared to the previous closing of Rs 284.50 and Rs 285.50, respectively. However, regarding the British pound, the Pak rupee witnessed a closing at Rs 379.75 and Rs 383.10 against the previous closing of Rs 382.50 and Rs 387.60 respectively. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025