KARACHI: Speakers at ‘Climate Change and Food Security Conference’ which was held today in Karachi emphasized the need to promote local adaptation plans and practices that can support the sustainable livelihood of poor communities, and can maintain the fragile ecosystem of arid zones in Sindh.
Dr. Kamran Soomro, the Borlaug fellow on irrigation and water management at Colorado State University, USA, and presently working with Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), as senior water expert shared the ‘Adaptation Plan of Action’ which PARC and TRDP are implementing in Umerkot. Plan is imparting knowledge to small farmer, rural communities and relevant government departments on climate-smart agriculture along with updated seasonal calendars and advisory services on use of environment-friendly technology.
DR. Omer Mukhtar Tarar, the principal scientific officer and head of food technology and nutrition section at Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories Complex, Karachi shared finding of a research done on the nutritional value of indigenous food of Tharparkar. He emphasized that many local food available in Tharparkar show high value of minerals, vitamins, proteins, and carbohydrates and can be used as an important input for addressing the issue of malnutrition.
Dr. Junaid Alam Memon, Professor of Development Studies and Director Center for Business and Economic Research at IBA Karachi, who remained a John Dillon Fellow of the Austrian Center for International Research (ACIAR) and Scholar at Vincent and Elinor Ostrom Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, presented findings of an evaluation of climate-smart agriculture project implemented by TRDP in Umerkot. With the support of empirical analysis, he explained that as a result of project activities the food security in communities served with interventions is increased significantly. He put a note of caution while practicing the interventions that extract and use water recklessly, particularly of dug wells including experiments on growing cash crops on saline water.
Mohammed Saleem Jalbani, Senior Chief Environment, and Climate Change, Planning and Development Department, Govt of Sindh shared the initiatives that the government is undertaking to promote sustainable land use management in Sindh. He referred to a case study of a UNDP-supported project that Govt of Sindh implemented in Tharparkar and Umerkot on sustainable land use and which was categorised as one of the most effective UNDP project on sustainable land use.
Mr. Noor Muhammad Baloch Director General, Agriculture Research Sindh Tandojam shared the research initiatives that Govt has so far taken to promote climate-friendly agriculture and horticulture in Sindh.
Sarwan Baloch Sindh Coordinator of WWH shared the approach and support given by WHH to promote climate smart agriculture and results of project that WHH supported TRDP to implement.
Allah Nawaz Samoo CEO TRDP emphasized to bridge inequality and change attitude towards an environment friendly development. He shared some examples where exploitation of ground water for getting high productivity in fragile arid zones has resulted in ‘patches of poverty ‘ and ‘patches of plenty’.
Sabiha Shah Vice Chairperson TRDP welcomed the participants and thanked them for supporting TRDP in serving poor communities in the most remote and deprived areas of Sindh.
Hakeema a community representative from Umerkot shared community actions taken under the project that have reduced the negative impact of climate change, while taking advantage of potential new opportunities. She highlighted the role trained community resource persons frequently play along with district administration to cope with disasters such as drought and flood.
Aisha Jamshaid, country director, Welthungerhilfe concluded the conference on vote of thanks. Referring to large participation from a range of stakeholders including academia, representatives of public and private sector, small traders, media, and civil society oganizations, she hoped that conference would contribute to reinforce the collective action to promote capacity and resilience of all stakeholders in the climate change management. She appreciated TRDP and WHH team for organising such a wonderful event.
Award was presented to Mr. Haji Mohammed Kumbahar for his contribution in raising awareness about climate change through photography in Thar and Umerko
Those who attended the conference include Professor Dr. Muhammad Ismail Memon, Sindh Agriculture University,Tando Jam, Zulfquar Halepoto, the renowned writer and social activist, Aijaz Khuwaja, writer and senior development professional, Ashfaque Soomro, CEO, RDF, Atlaf Nizamani, CEO SAWFCO, Shahid Ali, CEO, FRDP, Ms. Rahima Panhwar, Member SRSO, BoD, TRDP board members, Mr. Brigadier (Rtd) Allah Bux Rang, Haji Nabi Bux Baloch, Dr. Rubi Dharmdas, Mumtaz Begun, Kamala Devi, Meva Ram Saqi, Muhammad Ramzan Junejo, Hameeda Masoud and community members from Umerkot.
