FAO Pakistan, under the Green Climate Fund supported project Transforming the Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management, convened a provincial workshop in Hyderabad to promote fair, transparent and gender-responsive land tenancy systems across Sindh. The event aimed to align local practices with global guidance and support climate-resilient agriculture through improved tenure arrangements.
Participants included representatives from the Agriculture Extension Department, Board of Revenue, Labour Department, Women Development Department, Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority, Sindh Chamber of Agriculture and the Sindh Abadgar Board, together with academia, water user associations, farmer organizations, landowners and farm managers. The diverse attendance reflected the multifaceted nature of land tenancy issues and the need for coordinated action at provincial and community levels.
Discussions examined prevailing local tenancy practices, the main challenges tenants and smallholders face, and opportunities to promote fair tenancy arrangements that bolster rural livelihoods. The workshop highlighted practical approaches for transparent and gender-responsive tenancy and introduced the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT) as a global framework to strengthen responsible land governance in Sindh.
A panel discussion brought key stakeholders together to share perspectives from government, civil society and farming communities, with a focus on translating VGGT principles into actionable steps on the ground. The dialogue underscored the importance of clear tenancy agreements, dispute resolution mechanisms and inclusive participation to protect tenants and support sustainable farm management.
Engr. Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal, Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam, opened the workshop and stressed that inclusive, transparent tenancy arrangements are essential for building climate resilience in agriculture and safeguarding the interests of smallholder producers. He called for stronger coordination between research institutions and field-level stakeholders to develop locally appropriate tenancy models.
Dr. Allah Warayo Rind, Director General of the Agriculture Extension Department, Government of Sindh, delivered closing remarks emphasising the need to strengthen collaboration among FAO, government departments and community organisations. He highlighted targeted support for tenants and women farmers to ensure gender-inclusive tenancy systems that recognise and formalise women’s critical roles in agriculture.
FAO reiterated its commitment to fostering responsible land governance and promoting land tenancy reforms that support smallholder resilience, equitable access to land-based resources and sustainable water and agriculture practices across Sindh. The workshop concluded with a shared resolve to move from dialogue to concrete measures that integrate the VGGT and local priorities for a more inclusive agricultural future.
