Muhammad Faisal Riaz
Research Assistant
MNS University of Agriculture, Multan (MNSUAM)
Muhammad Faisal Riaz is a Research Assistant in the SMALLPAK project at MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan. He holds an M.Sc. (Hons.) in Entomology and has more than eight years of professional experience in sustainable agriculture, farmer engagement, soil salinity management, and participatory research. His work combines scientific research with community-based approaches to strengthen resilient smallholder farming systems in Punjab, Pakistan. Before joining SMALLPAK, he worked with international agricultural research projects supported by ACIAR and contributed to initiatives on salinity adaptation, farmer water management, and sustainable agricultural development. Within SMALLPAK, he supports field surveys, stakeholder engagement, workshop coordination, research documentation, and participatory activities related to indigenous and organizational innovations for improving smallholder livelihoods and food security.
Research interests
- Resilient smallholder farming systems
- Sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation
- Participatory and community-based agricultural research
- Indigenous agricultural innovations and local knowledge systems
- Soil salinity management and sustainable land use
- Farmer engagement and extension approaches
- Agroforestry and integrated crop-livestock systems
- Food security and rural livelihood improvement
Work experience
2026 – present
Research Assistant, SMALLPAK Project
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan, Pakistan
2024 – 2026
Centre Incharge, Sona Centre (Fauji Fertilizer Company Project)
Fauji Fertilizer Company, Shorkot, Pakistan
2021 – 2024
Community Engagement Officer
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Multan, Pakistan
2020 – 2021
Program Officer
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Islamabad, Pakistan
2018 – 2020
District Master Facilitator
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Sargodha, Pakistan
2018
Crop Protection Officer
Arysta LifeScience, Pakistan
Education
2019
M.Sc. (Hons.) Entomology
University of Sargodha, Pakistan
2017
B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture
University of Sargodha, Pakistan
Selected publications
Ahsan, M. B., Baig, I. A., Sarfraz, B., Riaz, M. F., Mehdi, M., Rehman, A. U., et al. (2025). Exploring opportunities for smallholder saline farmers: A case of Moringa value chain in South Punjab, Pakistan. Journal of Global Innovations in Agricultural Sciences, 13(4), 1439–1446.
Allan, C., Baloch, T., Channa, M. Y., Channa, M. A., Heaney-Mustafa, S., Jabeen, N., Riaz, M. F., et al. (2024). Adapting to salinity in the southern Indus Basin: Stories of change. Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University.
Heaney-Mustafa, S., Channa, M. Y., Baloch, T., Channa, M. A., Kumbhar, B., Mohiuddin, I., Riaz, M. F., et al. (2023). Stakeholder Engagement for Research and Learning (SERL): Theoretical Underpinnings and Guidelines for Facilitators. Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University.
Riaz, M. F., Raza, A. B. M., Majeed, M. Z., & Nazir, T. (2022). Diversity and species distribution of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in district Sargodha (Punjab, Pakistan). Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 38(2), 540–547.