STAFF REPORT IBD: Pakistan is experiencing the worst effects of climate change as evident from longer spells of heavy rains and devastating floods for the fourth consecutive year. These threats include serious threats to agriculture and water resources and, in fact, the countrys economic fabric.


Since 2010, monsoon rains and floods have been more ferocious than before, leaving the rural infrastructure and, above all, agricultural economy in a disarray.


To save agriculture which is the countrys mainstay, farmers are now being advised by experts to revise their crop calendar and start sowing cotton two months earlier so that the crop is picked before the monsoon hits. Rice growers, on the other hand, should go for delayed planting. There is need to introduce new varieties of wheat, rice and sugarcane which mature faster and survive heavy downpour and prolonged drought which are likely to continue for the next 30 to 35 years.


According to Basmati Growers Association in Punjab, standing crops of basmati on 0.5 million acres of land in the province have been badly damaged. Basmati exports were already down to 0.6 million tons in 2012-13 from 1.2 million few years ago.


It is ironic to note that while there is abundant water causing devastation in the monsoon season, there is shortage of water in the Rabi season, which extends to early Kharif, within the next six to eight months.

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