Society for Peace and Sustainable Development (SPSD)-Pakistan is a farmer led organization, which brings together hundreds of peasants, small and medium-size farmers, landless people, women farmers, migrants and agricultural workers from five districts of South Punjab, Pakistan, which are Muzaffargarh, Layyha, Mianwali, Bhaker and Khusab. The people of these districts are poor and vulnerable, most of whom are associated with agriculture. Most farmers have less than five acres of land, and the crops in the area are mainly wheat, cotton, rice, and different seasonal vegetables and fruits.
SPSD-Pakistan started in 2004 when a small group of farmers in the district of Muzaffargarh, South Punjab, Pakistan realized that they are slowly losing their biodiversity and methods of sustainable agriculture. They feel that the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are increasing in Pakistan due to poverty, given that pesticide and fertilizer companies provide the poor farmers with loans to be able to grow their crops. The government itself also promotes the use of hybrid and genetically modified seeds and the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
To save future generations, they collectively start thinking of how they can reduce the effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on their children. Ultimately they formed a group with the name Society for Peace and Sustainable Development, which works with men, women, youth and children. SPSD-Pakistan conducts two types of training programs on agroecological techniques for farmers and rural communities, specifically organic-fertilizer production and integrated pest management.
SPSD-Pakistan defends small-scale sustainable agriculture as a way to promote social justice and dignity. It strongly opposes corporate driven agriculture and transnational companies that are destroying people and nature. In 2023, it initiated an advocacy campaign called, “Let’s free our villages from Pesticides.” SPSD works hard to sensitize the farmers and rural community about the negative impacts of chemical fertilizers and use of pesticides. Some farmers have been convinced and have reduced the use of chemicals and added organic fertilizer to their fields.
SPSD- Pakistan believes that with our continuous mobilization, the farmers will change their behavior and mindset towards industrial agriculture.
Vision:
A socially just world, free from chemicals and harmful pesticides, where every human being can survive with their full potential, energy and growth.
Goals:
Mission:
To build a chemical- and pesticide-free Pakistani society, where every child can take a breath in the fresh air and can live with their full potential in a socially just environment.
Areas of Work:
The thematic Program areas of SPSD-Pakistan are as follow,
Programs and Expertise:
We organize the capacity building training programs as well as awareness sessions, broad-based community meetings, dialogue among different stakeholders, and door to door campaigns.
Additionally, we are also working on three thematic areas:
