Farmer Field Days Demonstrate Climate-Smart Fertilizer Practices Across Punjab and Sindh

Farmer Field Days were organized from 2 to 22 October 2025 across the districts of Benazirabad, Khanewal, Gujranwala, and Larkana in Punjab and Sindh under the USDA-ICARDA project “Fertilize Right Pakistan”. The events gathered farmers and agricultural stakeholders around practical demonstrations on cotton and rice fields to promote improved fertilizer management practices that enhance crop productivity while reducing unnecessary nutrient losses.

Throughout the field days, ICARDA scientists and national partners showcased a range of climate-smart technologies. These included deep placement of fertilizers using a dibbler, split applications of urea, soil-test based fertilizer recommendations, GreenSeeker-guided urea application, zinc and sulfur coated urea, and the use of biofertilizers such as Biozote and RhizoPower or humic acid as a partial substitute for chemical fertilizers. Each technology was compared directly to the traditional farmer practice of broadcasting fertilizers and applying plain urea. These demonstrations highlighted the importance of the “4R Nutrient Stewardship” principle of applying the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.

The events saw strong participation, with 1,213 attendees, including 1,123 men and 90 women. Farmers, extension workers, representatives from fertilizer and chemical companies, NGO staff, and other local stakeholders joined to observe the demonstrations, exchange experiences, and learn from field-based evidence. Brochures summarizing the technologies and good practices were also distributed to support wider awareness and adoption across farming communities.

During each field day, ICARDA scientists and partner institutes explained the science, purpose, and expected benefits of the improved practices. Participants were then taken to demonstration plots to observe side-by-side comparisons between the technologies and farmers’ own methods, including differences in seed choice, fertilizer rate, placement methods, and timing. Host farmers shared their personal observations, and participants raised practical questions related to fertilizer application, soil fertility, and crop performance.

In addition to demonstrating improved practices, the field days underlined the environmental risks associated with improper or excessive fertilizer use, particularly nitrogen fertilizers and their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Speakers emphasized that better nutrient management is essential for increasing crop yields, reducing losses, and protecting the environment.

Project Leader Dr. Muhammed Imtiaz ICARDA  Country Coordinator – Pakistan and national programs highlighted that these FFDs help raise awareness among farmers, the scientific community, government officials, and the private sector on the judicious use of fertilizers to improve crop productivity, reduce losses, and protect the environment.

The field days reinforced that Fertilize Right Pakistan is helping farmers adopt smarter, more efficient fertilizer practices that support both agricultural productivity and climate resilience. The events strengthened awareness among farmers, researchers, government representatives, and private sector actors, contributing to ongoing efforts to promote sustainable nutrient management across Pakistan’s major cropping systems.