FAO Grants for Balochistan Agriculture and Livestock SMEs: PKR 3–14 Million

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with funding from the European Union (EU), is inviting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agriculture and livestock sectors in selected districts of Balochistan to apply for cost-shared cash grants. The grants are offered under the Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Programme (RBWRP), and applications close on 30 November 2026.

Eligible enterprises operating in the programme’s target districts across the Pishin Lora, Nari, Hamun-e-Mashkhel and Hingol river basins can apply for grants of PKR 3 million to PKR 14 million. Applicants must contribute at least 30% of the total investment cost.

Download the full call, eligible districts and sample application form: RBWRP Call for Applications (PDF, Google Drive)

About the call

The call is numbered CFA # RBWRP-02/2026 and is dated 1 October 2026. FAO says it aims to provide technical assistance and investment support through grants as part of wider efforts to strengthen private sector engagement in key agriculture sub-sectors in Balochistan. The process follows FAO’s established rules for soliciting, evaluating and awarding grants, with predefined criteria intended to make selection transparent and competitive.

Background: the RBWRP

The RBWRP is an EU-funded programme formulated by the Government of Balochistan to address challenges in managing natural resources, especially water and rangelands, and the agriculture and livestock sectors that depend on them. Its overall objective is to improve income and food security in 32 watersheds across the four river basins. It promotes sustainable farming based on equitable management of water and rangeland resources, to help communities cope with climate change and reverse environmental degradation.

Under the programme, FAO works to build governance structures for water and rangelands, support a shift to low-water-use farming, promote water-efficient and profitable value chains, and strengthen the capacity of government, academia, communities and the private sector. It also focuses on better skills and technology, value addition, jobs for youth and women, and improved market access.

Which value chains and districts

The call targets SMEs willing and able to invest in these value chains:

• Agriculture: olive, dates, grapes, apricot, onion, chili and off-season vegetables. Examples include machinery for olive oil extraction, date syrup production and dehydration.
• Livestock: meat, dairy and wool. Examples include processing, and equipment for slaughterhouses, dairy farms or fattening.

Activities must be carried out in 19 target districts: Quetta, Mastung, Pishin, Killa Abdullah, Kalat, Loralai, Harnai, Duki, Ziarat, Kohlu, Sibi, Khuzdar, Shaheed Sikandarabad (Surab), Awaran, Kech, Panjgur, Kharan, Washuk and Chaghi.

Who can apply

Applicants must:

• be legally registered under the laws of Pakistan, and be established and operating in a target district;
• hold a bank account in the name of the organisation or individual;
• show evidence of land cultivation, livestock ownership or other documents proving rights over the assets needed;
• allow site verification, and have a camera-equipped mobile phone for geo-tagged photos;
• show proof that they can provide the matching funds;
• not be bankrupt or in liquidation, and declare no conflict of interest; and
• for cooperatives, be registered under the Cooperative Societies Act 1925.

Selected applicants must take part in FAO training and market exposure visits, share business data, collaborate with local farmers, create jobs especially for women and youth, and let other farmers visit their facilities for training. Government employees, people affiliated with FAO, the EU or FAO’s implementing partners (and certain relatives), political parties and anyone on UN sanctions lists are not eligible. Anyone who received a grant in the first round cannot apply in the second.

How the money works

Grants are paid in Pakistani rupees and last a maximum of one year. FAO covers 70% of the cost, and the grantee covers at least 30%. Support is for machinery and equipment only. Land, construction, labour, in-kind contributions, leasing and live animals cannot be included, and the matching contribution must be newly purchased fixed assets with no other donor funding. Grantees buy the equipment themselves, and FAO reimburses its share in tranches after field monitoring confirms the equipment is bought, installed and working at the approved site.

How applications are scored

Applications must score at least 70 out of 100:

• relevance of the project idea and goal: 53
• organisation capacity and capability: 26
• innovation and sustainability: 11
• gender and social inclusiveness: 10

Key dates and how to apply

• 15 October 2026, 4:00 PM PST: deadline to confirm attendance at an orientation session. Applicants who miss it can email FAO to ask about joining.
• 21 October 2026: in-person orientation session in Quetta, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
• 23 October 2026: online orientation session, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
• 30 November 2026, 4:00 PM PST: application deadline

Applications must be submitted online at faogrants.smapply.org using the prescribed form. Late, duplicate and incomplete applications will be rejected. Attachments include a registration copy and a bank statement or audit report to show revenue. Questions can go to faopk-grants@fao.org. FAO says applicants who hear nothing within two months of submission should assume they were not selected.

Conclusion

The call gives registered agriculture and livestock SMEs in 19 Balochistan districts a way to fund new machinery with FAO and EU support, in value chains such as olives, dates, dairy and wool. The 30% co-investment and the equipment-only rule mean applicants need cash ready and a clear business plan. With a deadline of 30 November 2026, interested enterprises should read the full call, attend an orientation session if they can, and prepare their documents early.

Source: FAO, Call for Applications CFA # RBWRP-02/2026, 1 October 2026.