Leveraging Digital Technology for Climate-Smart Farming in Pakistan: BKK 

The GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation (launched in 2022) was designed to help accelerate the testing, adoption and scalability of digital innovations that enable the world’s most vulnerable populations to adapt, anticipate and absorb the negative impacts of climate change. 12 successful start-ups from 10 countries were selected for our first round of the Fund. This case study shares lessons and outcomes from the project with  BaKhabar Kissan (BKK)– a start-up based in Pakistan, and supported by the GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation.

In Pakistan, 8.2 million smallholder farmers are striving to fulfill basic food and nutrition needs of the population. However, due to the scarcity of weather data stations and high-quality weather data, farmers lack the necessary information for efficient decision-making and disaster management. This has undermined food security and rendered poor communities, especially farmers, more susceptible to the impacts of climate change. GSMA Innovation Fund start-up BaKhabar Kissan (BKK) operates a network of weather stations providing hyperlocal weather information, enabling access to agricultural expertise through digital platforms in Pakistan.

BKK’s platform provides access to various services, including weather information and agricultural expertise on the latest pesticides and better farming methods. The GSMA supported BKK to enhance their digital weather platform and provide farmers with real-time, hyperlocal weather information. They were able to disseminate information related to agriculture and livestock practices to enhance the resilience of farmers to climate change-induced weather impacts. Their platform also provides access to agriculture and weather experts who can help farmers learn and adapt to new farming techniques.

This initiative is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and is supported by the GSMA and its members.