U.S. Ambassador Blome Launches Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative at Faisalabad University

ISLAMABAD: Remarks Prepared for Delivery by U.S. Ambassador Blome at the Launch of the U.S.-Funded Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

I am honored to be here today for the launch of the U.S.-supported Climate Smart Agriculture initiative.

Through this five-year initiative, the United States will collaborate with farmer organizations, local businesses, and academic institutions. Our focus will be on enhancing farming practices, introducing new technologies, and providing support in business strategies, financing, and international networking. These efforts aim to improve crop yields, support environmental sustainability, and boost farmers’ incomes. Together, we are sowing the seeds of future success.U.S. Funded EnglishWorks! Program Empowers Sialkot Youth

Firstly, we will ensure that Pakistani farmers have access to the latest agricultural technology to enhance their productivity. This will involve fostering partnerships between researchers, businesses, and farmers’ groups to make newly developed, high-quality seeds accessible to them. We will introduce modern machinery to optimize planting operations, as well as automated irrigation systems to use water efficiently, which is especially critical in areas facing water shortages. Additionally, we will make advanced technologies available for crop monitoring, farm management, and weather forecasting. Ultimately, all of these efforts will contribute to more productive farming.

Next, we will assist farmers in bringing their products to market and maximizing their earnings. This will include connecting them with financial services that can help them invest in superior seeds, equipment, and machinery. We will also provide training in marketing strategies to ensure that Pakistani farmers receive the best possible prices for their goods. Moreover, we will help farmers find direct buyers by connecting them with businesses, cooperatives, and digital platforms, eliminating the risks of delays or intermediaries. In the end, this will lead to faster sales of crops at better prices.

The United States and Pakistan have a long-standing and robust partnership in the agricultural sector. More than fifty years ago, a U.S. scientist collaborated with Pakistani counterparts to transform agriculture in Pakistan and globally. The collaboration between Dr. Norman Borlaug and Dr. Mohammad Manzur Bajwa is a remarkable example of the enduring U.S.-Pakistan partnership, which has united our nations in friendship. Their work led to the development of a high-yielding wheat variety that helped Pakistan double its wheat production between 1965 and 1970. This achievement was part of the “Green Revolution”—a term coined in 1968 by USAID administrator William Gaud.

Our cooperation continued to evolve from there. As Dr. Borlaug worked on improving wheat yields, American and Pakistani scientists at the University of California, Riverside, developed the Kinnow variety. They shared their findings with their colleagues at the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad, who perfected the techniques to cultivate some of the world’s sweetest citrus. Today, the Kinnow is a beloved fruit in Pakistan and is also exported globally.

Our partnership further expanded in 1977, when the United States supported the creation of the National Agricultural Research Center and provided endowment funds to support vital agricultural research in Pakistani universities and institutions. The U.S. also helped establish this prestigious university and continues to support it through research initiatives and endowments.

This strong partnership has helped Pakistan transition from a food-insecure nation to a net food exporter. We continue to build on this success, working with partners across Pakistan to develop new crop varieties, improve farming practices, and increase farmers’ access to new technologies and irrigation solutions.

Today, we are also partnering with Pakistan to tackle climate change. Agriculture both impacts and is impacted by climate change. Unpredictable weather patterns, heatwaves, and irregular rainfall are making it more challenging for farmers to grow the crops that sustain their families and feed the country. We all understand how crucial it is for agriculture in Pakistan to continue growing and prospering.

Together, we are working to strengthen Pakistan’s resilience to climate-related challenges. Through the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework, the United States is making strategic investments in renewable energy, water management, and smart agriculture to better equip Pakistan to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. We have also contributed $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund, which is being utilized for climate adaptation and mitigation projects to enhance Pakistan’s resilience.

In agriculture alone, our investments have benefited over one million rural households. We have helped farms and businesses increase their sales by more than $1.47 billion and create over 100,000 new jobs.

From the “Green Revolution” to the “Green Alliance,” the United States and Pakistan have worked hand in hand to benefit the people of both nations. I look forward to witnessing the innovations and breakthroughs that will grow from the seeds we are planting together..