Greenhouses of hope: Resilient farmers from Pakistan’s North and COP29

In the remote village of Dasskel, Goharabad, Diamer, the glaciers and harsh winters have long dictated the pace of life. Yet, amid these challenges, Mustaqeem Khan has cultivated a success story that transcends his rugged surroundings. Using a passive solar greenhouse, Mustaqeem has turned the unforgiving winters into a season of plenty.

“This greenhouse is more than just a structure; it’s a lifeline,” Mustaqeem says as he tends to rows of spinach, tomatoes, cucumber and seedlings thriving within the greenhouse’s warm interior. Despite the icy winds outside, the greenery inside speaks of resilience and innovation.

Mustaqeem is not alone in embracing the greenhouse revolution. Across the valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, similar initiatives have inspired transformations, including the remarkable journey of Zargar Ali from Silgan in Ghizer valley.

From Diamer’s resilience to Ghizer’s prosperity

While Mustaqeem has achieved financial stability through his greenhouse, Zargar Ali’s story from Ghizer demonstrates how these initiatives can elevate entire families to prosperity. Starting in the early 2009 with a single greenhouse, a transformative innovation introduced by the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) under the Central Asia Poverty Programme (CAPP), Zargar worked tirelessly, experimenting with tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables . Over time, he perfected his techniques, expanded his operations, and built a thriving fruit business from the greenhouse revenue that has made him a millionaire in just a decade and a half.

Zargar’s family, including his wife and children, is now fully involved in the enterprise, managing greenhouses, marketing produce, and exploring new avenues in value-added products such as dried fruits and juices. “It started with a small idea, but today, we’re exporting our fruits to major markets in the country,” Zargar says with pride.

His journey has also inspired many in Silgan Valley in Yasin, where families now follow his model, seeing firsthand how sustainable practices can transform their lives. “The greenhouse is not just a business for us,” Zargar’s wife remarks. “It’s a way of giving back to our community and showing what’s possible with hard work and innovation.”

A region transformed by greenhouses

The success of greenhouses in Diamer, Ghizer, and beyond is emblematic of a broader agricultural transformation in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. AKRSP supported over 500 farmers to establish passive solar greenhouses, enabling them to grow fresh produce year-round, enhancing food security, and creating sustainable livelihoods. In places like Ghizer, Skardu and Upper Hunza in Gojal, families displaced by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) have used the technology to rebuild their lives, proving its resilience against climate impacts.

“The greenhouse is more than an intervention; it’s a catalyst for change,” says Professor Dr Maisoor Ahmed of Karakoram International University. “From subsistence farming to commercial success stories like Zargar Ali’s, this initiative shows the power of local solutions in addressing global challenges.”

A voice for action at COP29

As world leaders convene at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, stories like those of Mustaqeem Khan and Zargar Ali underscore the urgent need for climate action and financial support for vulnerable regions. Pakistan, contributing less than 1% of global carbon emissions, faces some of the worst consequences of climate change. Initiatives like greenhouses highlight the potential of innovative solutions when supported by international climate finance and collaboration.

“These greenhouses are a testament to what’s possible, and that’s should be told in the COP29,” stated professor Dr Ahmed. “They show how climate-resilient practices can not only safeguard livelihoods but also create new opportunities for economic growth.”

The passive designs of these greenhouses are helping farmers build resilience to climate change by enabling year-round farming, reducing energy use, conserving water, and enhancing food security, while mitigating the effects of extreme weather patterns and temperature fluctuations.

Growing together

For Mustaqeem, his greenhouse symbolizes resilience, allowing him to fund his children’s education and dream of a better future. For Zargar Ali, it’s a testament to what determination and innovation can achieve, transforming a small idea into a multimillion-rupee enterprise that supports his entire family and inspires a community.

As the sun sets over the valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, the warm glow of greenhouses in Diamer and Ghizer shines as a beacon of hope. Together, they tell a story of resilience, innovation, and the power of local solutions to combat global challenges — a story that resonates from the peaks of Pakistan’s north to the global stage at COP29.