It is important to make local and small farmers aware of the threat of climate change by mobilizing community-based organizations, said Pakistan Businesses Forum (PBF) Vice President Jahanara Wattoo, according to a press statement received by WealthPK.

“The impact of climate change is felt globally. In Pakistan the effects are getting dire with each passing year. Farmers and local producers are not aware of the threat. So, they cannot take pre-emptive measures to avert the disaster. The role of community-based organizations becomes important in this regard. They can help farmers improve their risk-assessments of climate induced disasters,” she said.  

She said that “climate change has threatened the overall productivity of the agriculture sector. Crop simulation model-based studies by Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed that there were significant reductions in wheat, rice, and maize yields in the arid, semi-arid and rain-fed areas of Pakistan under various scenarios by the mid and end of the century.”

“Variations in rainfall have made Pakistan heavily dependent on river water. River waters are drying up because of the melting glaciers. Monsoon rains have become heavy to very heavy. These rains cause devastating floods which destroy standing crops and reduce agricultural production drastically. Canals are destroyed and critical infrastructure is damaged. Farmers need to be prepared for this in future,” she said.

She said that other problems of the agriculture sector include inadequate mapping of soil health for each agro-ecological zone for promotion of climate-smart eco-friendly crops. There was a lack of farm community storages and non-availability of climate-smart on-farm water management technologies. “Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) was an integrated approach for developing technical, policy and investment conditions to achieve sustainable agricultural development for food security under climate change by adopting and building resilience and reducing carbon emissions.”

“Community participation initiatives including federal and provincial governments’ collaboration was needed to improve application of balanced nutrition, especially potash application, pest scouting, promotion of mechanization, introduction of short-duration varieties, stress management against heat and drought, fortification of crops through breeding and continuous review of production plans by learning through best practices,” she added.

“National Agriculture Emergency Plan for Wheat, Sugarcane, Rice and Oilseed crops and special programs for revival/promotion of cotton crops and pulses were initiated through input-based incentives on the use of certified seeds, micro-nutrients, agriculture machinery with the use of all extension tools to maximize productivity and profitability,” she said.

Special projects for certification of fruit plants to promote climate-resilient germplasm have also been introduced and more than 300 nurseries have been registered so far. She said that the efforts of the Punjab government had resulted in improvement in agriculture productivity in vulnerable areas like Thal and Pothohar through Command Area Development. By constructing small dams, farm ponds, lined water courses, and dug-wells, as well as enhancing farmers’ capacity and laser land leveling, the cultivated area has been increased, thus leading to a boost in yield by 20-25%. In another project, climate-friendly technological interventions like the provision of certified fruit plants, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, tunnel technology and renewable energy inputs (solar system) were provided to develop horticulture in the Potohar region. The development of Olive Valley was a prime example.

She recommended that the CSA practices, which focus on chronic agriculture efficiency challenges, should be adopted. These practices include integrated pest management strategies, water management strategies, improved selection of seeds, climate-resilient crop varieties, renewable energy technologies and manure management technologies.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk