Dr. Zahid Ullah
Postdoctoral Researcher (WP1, Indigenous Innovations)
MNS University of Agriculture, Multan (MNSUAM)
Zahid Ullah is an Environmental and Resource Economist and researcher specializing in climate resilience, agroforestry, rural livelihoods, and sustainable agricultural development in Pakistan. His research focuses on the socio-ecological dynamics of farming systems, indigenous knowledge, climate-smart agriculture, value chains, and disaster economics, particularly in South Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Lower South Waziristan (formerly the Federally Administered Tribal Areas) of Pakistan. He worked with national and international organizations, including the Asian Development Bank, International Water Management Institute, Finnish Consulting Group, Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International, Innovative Development Strategies, National Institute of Banking and Finance, State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, and the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, on research, teaching, and development projects. Currently he is working as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture, Multan, contributing to the SMALLPAK project. His work focuses on participatory approaches to agroforestry, climate resilience, livestock-crop integration, rural livelihoods, and sustainable rural transformation.
Research interests
- Indigenous agroforestry systems and climate resilience in smallholder farming communities
- Social-ecological dynamics of farming systems in Pakistan
- Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable rural livelihoods
- Participatory approaches to natural resource management and rural development
- Agroforestry innovations for adaptation to climate change
- Agricultural value chains, market access, and livelihood diversification
- Socio-economic vulnerability and disaster resilience in rural communities
- Evidence-based policy research for sustainable agricultural transformation in Pakistan
Work experience
2026 – present
Postdoctoral Researcher
Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture (MNSUAM), Pakistan
2023
Research Associate / Analyst
Asian Development Bank (ADB), Pakistan
2022 - 2023
Support Staff
Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), Pakistan
2022 - 2023
Policy Analyst
Finnish Consulting Group (FCG), Pakistan
2018
Master Trainer (Financial Literacy Program),
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Pakistan
2017
PhD Researcher / Research Assistant to Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences; Academic Teaching
University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan
2015
Research Consultant
International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Pakistan
2014
Monitoring Officer / Supervisor
Innovative Development Strategies (IDS), Pakistan
2013
Survey Specialist / Data Collection Specialist
Dera Ismail Khan District Disaster Management Office, Pakistan
2012
Internee
National Internship Program, Dera Ismail Khan District Office of Agriculture Extension, Pakistan
2011
Research Assistant to Joint Director
Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad, Pakistan
Education
2024
Ph.D Environmental and Resource Economics
University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan
2014
M.Phil. in Environmental Economics
Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad, Pakistan
2009
B.Sc. (Hons.) Economics
Government College University (GCU), Lahore, Pakistan
Selected publications
Ullah, Z., Hassan, S., Abbas, A. and Ullah, R. (2024) “A Comprehensive Farm Efficiency Analysis of Apple Growers in Newley Merged District South Waziristan”, Journal of Economic Impact, 6(1), pp. 44–52. doi: 10.52223/econimpact.2024.6106.
Ph.D research thesis (2024): Supply Chain Analysis of Selected Fruits of FATA: Implications for Poverty Alleviation. Submitted to University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
MPhil research thesis (2014): Economics of Natural Disasters: Linkages to Economic Growth – SAARC Region. Submitted to Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad.
Masters research thesis (2009): Sectoral Impacts of Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Services on Pakistan's Economy. Submitted to Government College University, Lahore.