Much of Pakistan’s fruit processing industry operates within the informal sector, characterised by small-scale operations, traditional methods, and limited access to modern technologies. This leads to inefficiencies, high post-harvest losses, inconsistent product quality, and constrained market access thereby limiting income opportunities for smallholder farmers, particularly women.

This initiative addresses these challenges by reducing post-harvest losses and increasing value addition within the fruit processing sector.

The project introduces environmentally sustainable processing techniques to transform surplus apricots and dates into protein-balanced, fruit-based bars. This approach improves product quality, extends shelf life, and creates new market opportunities for locally produced fruit.

Ten local fruit processing companies have been mobilised and equipped with technical support to adopt these improved processing methods and produce higher-value, nutritious fruit bars that meet quality and nutrition standards.

The initiative also fosters partnerships between local and global stakeholders through the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network, supporting wider adoption of the innovation by other businesses in Pakistan.

The project is implemented by GAIN Pakistan, with funding from DANIDA, in collaboration with local food processing companies and with technical support from Arla Food Ingredients.

The Whey2Value initiative in Pakistan focuses on converting dairy by-products into affordable, nutritious food while supporting environmental sustainability and economic growth within the dairy value chain.

By utilising whey, a by-product of cheese production that is often discarded, the project reduces environmental strain associated with dairy processing. At the same time, it supports the development of fortified whey-based products designed to improve access to essential nutrients for low-income and vulnerable populations.

The initiative brings together private companies, government agencies, civil society organisations, and academia to co-develop products that are both nutrient-rich and affordable. Through fortification, these products aim to address micronutrient gaps without increasing the retail price per serving.

In parallel, the project strengthens the dairy value chain by enabling local processors and other actors to derive value from whey thereby supporting more sustainable production practices, improving profitability, and contributing to job creation.

The initiative is implemented by Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition Pakistan, with funding from the DANIDA Green Business Partnerships, and in collaboration with partners Arla Food Ingredients (AFI), Danish Industry (DI) and local cheese processing companies.

In Pakistan, it has supported the development of the National Nutrition Research Agenda, formulation of the Healthy Diet Strategy for Balochistan, design and implementation of HEC accreditation for Food Systems Transformation courses, development of a Food Safety Roadmap for Punjab, and formulation of School Meal Guidelines for Punjab.

These efforts are shaping evidence-based policies, enhancing institutional capacity, and fostering partnerships to drive healthier, more sustainable, and resilient food systems.

The programme is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and is implemented by GAIN with over 100 partners across all ten countries.

The Social Protection Project is a five-year initiative in Pakistan aimed at improving nutrition and strengthening gender inclusivity within social protection programs, with a focus on food distribution networks (FDNs).

Many social protection programs face barriers at the community level, including limited access to nutritious foods, gaps in gender inclusivity, and insufficient coordination among system actors. These challenges reduce the nutritional impact of FDNs and limit the effectiveness of Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) interventions.

The project works directly with FDNs to enhance access to nutritious foods, strengthen coordination and oversight, and improve the capacity of networks to provide nutritionally balanced food. It also supports the integration of local value chains and builds a stronger evidence base on the implementation and potential nutrition impacts of SBCC, while fostering awareness and buy-in among system actors for broader uptake and expansion.

The initiative promotes an enabling environment through the establishment of an effective coordination mechanism via a Resource Centre and by improving access to, and demand for, safe and nutritious foods.

The project is implemented by GAIN in collaboration with local FDNs and other stakeholders to strengthen nutrition outcomes and gender inclusivity in social protection programs across Pakistan.