Cultivating Biodiversity: How Pakistani Farmers Revive Nature While Growing Cotton

Cotton farming is more than a livelihood in Pakistan; it is a legacy passed down through generations. “Everything we have learned, we learned from our parents,” says farmer Abdur Rehman, from Sheikhupura, Punjab, whose family has tended these fields for decades. Today, having just learned something new, about the negative impact of using chemicals on cotton production from a project involving Better Cotton, Pilio and SAMA^Verte, and WWF Pakistan, he has a simple and direct message to share: “Avoid spreading. It harms the environment.”

Over the years, Adbur has witnessed a troubling change: the vibrant chorus of birds and insects that once thrived around his cotton fields has fallen eerily silent.

This loss of biodiversity is no accident. Modern but harmful farming practices, characterised by heavy pesticide use, deforestation, and intensive monoculture, have severely diminished the rich variety of species that once flourished there. Parrots no longer flock to the trees, ladybugs have become scarce, and the delicate balance of the ecosystem has been disrupted. This decline not only threatens wildlife but also directly impacts cotton productivity, making it harder for farmers like Abdur to sustain their families.

“Now we have a project, teaching us how we can protect the environment,” said Adbur during training sessions about how to reduce the harm done by pesticides – and help biodiversity recover.

Data and local knowledge

Better Cotton has partnered with Pilio and SAMA^Verte, alongside WWF Pakistan, to pioneer community-led initiatives that restore biodiversity while supporting cotton farming.

This collaborative project goes beyond traditional scientific studies by blending data collection with the invaluable knowledge and values of local communities. Through desk-based reviews and on-the-ground surveys focusing on key indicator species, the project captures a snapshot of the health of biodiversity in cotton-growing regions. Equally important are the voices of farmers and their communities, whose insights guide interventions in ways that respect and build on their heritage.

The three-year initiative (April 2023 – March 2026) focused on innovative sustainable practices. Better Cotton has been developing a replicable methodology to enhance biodiversity in cotton production. The project focuses on smallholder farmers, combining data with specific local contexts to create an aligned framework.

The project follows a three-step approach:

1. Biodiversity baselining. Understanding the starting point and current state of nature at a community level by integrating both scientific data and community perceptions and values.
2. Creation of community biodiversity enhancement plans. Co-designing a biodiversity enhancement strategy with the community and other stakeholders, including both on-farm and off-farm interventions which vary from habitat creation to community empowerment.
3. Capacity strengthening and support for the community. Training stakeholders, from the farmers and the community to implementing partners and Better Cotton staff, to ensure sustainable, long-term impact.

Farming as part of restoration

Actions underway include reforestation efforts to create habitats for native species, educational programs that reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers like Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and urea, and training that promotes sustainable farming methods. These measures help nurture a living landscape where cotton fields become vibrant ecosystems rather than barren monocultures.

“We can reduce the use of fertilisers like DAP and urea, also cut down on spraying the crops [with chemicals], so that the environment benefits” says Abdur Rehman. Early results are promising. Farmers report the return of birds and beneficial insects, while soil health improves, boosting cotton yields and reducing costs. More importantly, communities feel empowered, connecting their ancestral farming wisdom with new practices that safeguard their environment and livelihoods.

The experience of Abdur and many others reflect the transformative potential of biodiversity-centred farming. The decline of natural life threatens ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and long-term sustainability, and the work done in Pakistan shows how we can help restore biodiversity.

Cotton farmers have the potential to be a part of ecosystem restoration, but they need the right support, policies, and financial incentives to make it viable. Protecting biodiversity is not simply an environmental goal, it is a foundation for resilient farming communities and a sustainable cotton future.