PARC’s Alternate Wetting and Drying Techniques and Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties are Crucial in Mitigating Climate Change Impacts, Chairman PARC
ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT): Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) hosted a workshop on Low Carbon Agriculture in Pakistan at NARC Islamabad. the workshop aimed at piloting of Alternate Wetting and Drying techniques and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Measurement for rice cultivation in Punjab, Pakistan. The workshop was a collaborative effort involving PARC, ADB, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) University of the Philippines, Los Baños (UPLB), Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP), and the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI).
At the occasion, Dr. Fakhre Alam Irfan, Federal Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research underscored the critical links between climate change and agricultural innovation. Emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices alongside productivity enhancements, federal secretary highlighted ongoing initiatives by the government such as the conversion of 100,000 tube wells from diesel and electricity to solar power within the next few years. He further said that we are aiming to incentivize the adoption of sustainable rice production methods and reduce carbon emissions in the agricultural sector.
Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, warmly welcomed the esteemed guests and participants. He emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to combating climate change while acknowledging the country’s vulnerability to its effects. Notably, agricultural activities, particularly rice production, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Dr. Ali also highlighted the importance of transitioning from traditional farming methods to more sustainable practices, with PARC actively engaged in developing climate-resilient crop varieties and alternate wetting and drying methods for rice to address challenges posed by climate change.
Ms. Noriko Sato, senior Natural Resources Specialist ADB, emphasized the importance of Pakistan’s commitment as a signatory to the Paris Agreement in safeguarding the global climate. Ms. Sato highlighted the significance of accurate and region-specific data collection to effectively address climate change challenges and formulate sustainable environmental policies tailored to Pakistan’s unique needs and circumstances.
