Urban . Organic. Heirloom. Farms
Founded by Zahra Ali Syed in 2008, Crops in Pots started as Pakistan’s first urban organic gardening blog and quickly became a vital community for urban gardeners. In 2009, it expanded into the Learning Garden program, introducing an eco-literacy curriculum focused on heirloom seed heritage and organic farming methods, with the aim of creating school farms nationwide. By 2012, it had established Organic City, an eco-store for local organic farmers and entrepreneurs.
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Over the past 15 years, Crops in Pots has restored urban green spaces, educated youth on climate mitigation, developed school gardens, and supported local farmers in urban markets. We proudly represent Pakistan at various international platforms and collaborate with academia and policymakers to share our insights and learnings.
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We answer your most popular questions
- Funds to support our programs and services
- In-kind support (resources, expertise, and materials)
- Volunteers to help with events, projects, and daily operations
We offer consulting services for sustainable practices, including permaculture design, native tree plantation, edible garden design, rainwater harvesting, composting, eco-friendly landscaping, community engagement, and grant writing, to support individuals and organizations in achieving their environmental goals.
Yes, we strive to make our program accessible to everyone. We can provide adaptive tools and resources to help you participate and enjoy the benefits of gardening.
Through year-long Learning Garden Program
Climate Education, Kitchen gardens, Composting
We love growing heirloom food gardens with diverse communities for a sustainable future
Zahra Ali Syed
Founder
I collaborated with Zahra on ‘Sustainable Sultanabad’, funded by USAid, a project by Shehri that successfully established 50 kitchen gardens, two school rooftop farms, and trained volunteers. Zahra excelled at community mobilization, developing culturally relevant materials that earned her the trust of the migrant community, making the project a success.
It was an honor working with Zahra for the project 2nd Life Pakistan – a collaboration between Unilever Pakistan and Seed Ventures to mitigate plastic waste issues in Pakistan. Zahra worked in the capacity of a mentor and was a through and through professional throughout the entire project. She showcased in depth knowledge regarding the subject matter, and the difference in our mentee after her mentorship was quite evident.
Zahra led the landscape design for our Dino Safari Park project, a collaboration with KMC and Fatima Ventures. She skillfully incorporated native species and revitalized the old lake, showcasing her passion and dedication to preserving the local ecosystem. Her efforts successfully restored a 1-acre space, now thriving and enjoyed by both visitors and wildlife alike.
I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Zahra Ali Syed in various personal and professional endeavors. Her dedication to her work and her consistent ability to devise effective solutions have been the driving forces behind our ongoing collaboration. It’s her unwavering commitment to promoting green solutions, implementing recycling initiatives, and advancing organic farming practices that truly sets her apart as an authority in these areas.
I had the pleasure of working with Zahra during KB17. She was instrumental in designing our Educational Program, creating a thriving spice garden, and leading volunteer training. Her expertise in Art Education shone in the Art Teachers Workshops, sharing valuable insights and teaching methodologies. Zahra’s passion and experience were invaluable to our team.
