The city of Chakwal lies in Pakistan’s Potohar region, a landscape shaped by rolling hills and natural undulations. During the monsoon, rainwater collects in ponds, small dams and natural depressions. Yet for decades, farming here has depended more on rainfall prediction than access to water. As climate change disrupts rainfall patterns, nature-based solutions are helping farmers turn unused rainwater into a reliable resource for agriculture.
For generations, smallholder farmers in Chakwal relied on indigenous knowledge to decide when to sow their crops. They observed weather patterns and anticipated rainfall. If the first rain arrived on time, seeds germinated. If follow-up rains were delayed or failed, crops suffered. Yields remained low, in some seasons, crops failed completely.
Climate change has intensified this uncertainty. Rain now arrives late or at unexpected times. Dry spells last longer. In recent years, prolonged droughts have affected both wheat and groundnut crops across the district. Traditional rain-fed practices are no longer reliable.
Despite these challenges, the district has significant potential for rainwater harvesting. The undulating topography of the Potohar region naturally supports small dams, mini-dams and rainwater ponds. Many of these water bodies already exist on farmers’ land, however, their use for agriculture has remained limited.
Abubakar Aslam, senior research officer at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Pakistan, explained that most farmers in Chakwal do not lift water from these ponds for irrigation. “Farmers either use small dams for fishing or leave them unused for agriculture,” he said. “Less than one percent use this water for irrigation. As a result, a valuable natural resource goes to waste.”
Unequal access to water
Although water is visible in nearby ponds, most agricultural fields are located on higher ground. Lifting water traditionally required diesel or electric pumps. Both options are expensive, electricity is unreliable and fuel costs add financial pressure.
Farmers with greater financial resources are often able to install and operate their own tube wells or benefit from government-supported irrigation schemes. This gives them direct control over water. Smallholders, however, face a different reality. Women farmers are particularly affected. They remain dependent on rainfall, with limited ability to access or manage irrigation.
One such farmer is Nasreen Akhtar, who manages a farm over 3,500 square meters in the village of Dhok Qutab Din, Tehsil and District Chakwal. Her farm now hosts a solar-integrated rainwater harvesting irrigation system, combining a rainwater pond, solar power and sprinkler irrigation. She also installed a Chameleon soil moisture sensor which measures plant sensitivity to water stress. “Water is everything for our farm and family,” said Akhtar. “When crops get water at the right time, we are sure of food and some income. It also gives peace of mind because our effort is not wasted if the rains fail.”
Nature-based solutions as a way to work with the landscape
To address these challenges, IWMI is implementing a project in Chakwal funded by the United Kingdom under the Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) project. The initiative focuses on nature-based solutions that work with the landscape rather than replacing it with large, energy-intensive infrastructure.
The core idea is simple. Existing rainwater ponds are linked with high-efficiency irrigation systems powered by solar energy. This approach draws on IWMI’s research, traditional farming knowledge and experience from other rain-fed regions.
“Climate change has made rain-fed farming increasingly risky,” said Mohsin Hafeez, the strategic program director for Water, Food and Ecosystems at IWMI and WRAP project leader highlighted why this approach matters.
Combining rainwater harvesting with solar-powered, high-efficiency irrigation helps smallholder farmers gain more reliable access to water, lower irrigation costs and strengthen resilience to climate shocks. These nature-based solutions are practical, affordable, and suitable for wider adoption in rain-fed areas.
“Earlier, this water was wasted,” explained Aslam. “Now, when rainwater harvesting ponds are linked with solar-powered, high-efficiency irrigation, farmers can irrigate their crops without fuel costs and without putting pressure on groundwater.” According to Aslam, the intervention fundamentally changed how farmers use water already available to them.
In the past, farmers in rain-fed areas typically grew only one crop per year. Wheat yields remained low, averaging around 600 to 680 kilograms per acre. Groundnut was commonly grown because it required less water. Even these crops suffered during long dry spells. “With this system, farmers can irrigate at critical stages,” said Aslam. “We estimate wheat yields can increase to around 1,600 to 1,800 kilograms per acre.”
Building climate-resilient livelihoods
These nature-based interventions have enabled farmers to diversify their cropping systems.
Farmers in the area previously relied on a single crop each year due to limited water availability. With harvested rainwater now supporting irrigation, many are beginning to diversify their cropping systems by growing vegetables alongside wheat and, in some cases, producing two to three crops annually. This shift improves household nutrition and income. Land that was once left idle to conserve water becomes productive.
For Akhtar, the change is already visible. “Before, we could only grow limited crops and always took risks. Now, even if it does not rain, we can irrigate when the crop needs water. Getting water for farming is harder for women,” she said. “We have less access to money and equipment and manage both farm and household work. Having water near the field and an irrigation system makes a big difference.”
Another key shift is the introduction of soil moisture sensors. These sensors monitor moisture levels in the soil and alert farmers when irrigation is required. Earlier, irrigation decisions were based on estimation and experience alone. Now, farmers receive clear signals about when to irrigate. This improves crop health and reduces water loss.
Traditionally, farmers relied on electric pumps or diesel engines. Power cuts were frequent. Fuel prices were high. Solar-powered systems have removed these constraints. Farmers no longer spend on electricity or fuel. Irrigation decisions are based on crop needs rather than energy availability. This has reduced stress and improved confidence among farmers.
Adoption and the way forward
The demonstration sites reflect typical farming conditions in Chakwal. Soils are sandy loam and sensitive to moisture stress. Farmers primarily grow wheat, with vegetables being introduced gradually. Crop nutrition relies on urea, while no chemical pesticides are currently being applied. Irrigation systems operate during daylight hours, usually from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each hydrant runs for approximately one to one-and-a-quarter hours, ensuring efficient water use.
A total of eight nature-based solution sites are now operational in Chakwal. including the site managed by Nasreen Akhtar. These sites serve as demonstration hubs, allowing neighboring farmers to observe the systems in practice.
Interest in replication is growing. Reduced costs, improved crop health, and reliable irrigation are strong incentives for adoption.
In a region shaped by rainfall uncertainty, farmers are no longer leaving their crops to chance. By working with nature, they are securing water, improving yields, and building climate-resilient livelihoods.
