Climate changes are responsible for affecting crop yield caused by unstable rainfall patterns, drought, and increasing temperature, experts predicted the grey picture of agri sector as per scenario.
Punjab Agriculture Secretary M Mahmood said that the Punjab Government was reshaping agroecological zones to increase productivity based on modest advantage and to fight the challenges concerning climate change, water, and soil fertility.
Chairing the meeting on agrological zones at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, he viewed that keeping climatic, water and soil conditions in view the ecological zones are redefined so that per acre productivity of the crops could be jacked up at micro level. He said that the redesigning will endorse farmers to grow suitable and comparatively productive crops in their areas.
He directed the team of Food and Agriculture Organizations to reduce the gap in the development of micro agrological zones. He said that Punjab Government was putting all efforts towards the issues related to farming community. He said that agriculture was posed by a serious threat from climate changes. Concrete measures were taken on part of researchers, educationists, policy makers, and others are required.
He directed the committee of agrological zone to use the latest method and after the completion send the report for evaluation to the international agencies. He indicated that the this will make agriculture productive and profitable profession. He said that measures against the water abuse and misuse are needed to take.
Prof Dr. Iqrar A Khan, Director US Pakistan-Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture, and Food Security (USPCAS) expected that team finds feasible solutions in the form of agro zone to increase the agriculture and incomes of farmers.
He said, “timely decision is needed as the situation will aggravate in the years to come. To make the agriculture sector sustainable and profitable Punjab government was redesigning the agriculture policy.”
Prof Dr. Iqbal Zafar said although the country was in front of great challenge of worsening agri land fertility, water scarcity, climate changes serious efforts from government are being made to lift the productivity.
He lamented that Pakistan is blessed with four seasons, and fertile land system but no fruits can be reaped from its potential. He said that the reshaping the agro zone will guarantee food security.
Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi Vice Chancellor Dr. Rai Niaz said that ground water quality was also posing a threat to agriculture productivity so, step-up of efforts needed for the issue at the national level.
Muhammad Nawaz Shareef Agriculture University Vice Chancellor Dr. Asif Ali said, “We have to develop the varieties compatible to climate change as agro zones were changing. ”
Punjab Agriculture Research Board Chief Executive Dr. Noorul Islam said that he saw a shift of crops. He said that agri sector will be setback if we do not cope challenges of climate change.
DG Agriculture On-Farm Water Management Malik Muhammad Akram said that the reshaping groundwater framework to limit the heavy ground water pumping.
Water Management Research Center Director Dr. Hamid Shah said groundwater quality was deteriorating rapidly that must be addressed at national level. Imran S Khalid, Research Fellow, SDPI, Islamabad; Fahim Ahmed, Project Coordinator, FAO, Multan; Mubashir Riaz Khan, Director UIIT, PMAS UAAR, Rawalpindi; Dr Syed Aftab Wajid, UAF; Dr. Syed Hamid Hussain Shah, Director Water Management Research Centre, UAF; Ch. Abdul Ghafoor, Director Coordination, Davis Road, Lahore; Dr Ghulam Mahboob Subhani, Director Headquarter AARI, Faisalabad; Malik Muhammad Akram, DG Water Management, Lahore; Dr. Dildar Hussain Kazmi, Pakistan Meteorological Department, Lahore and Muhammad Naveed Arshad, and Muhammad Shauket from UAF graced the occasion with their presence.