Workshop begins with intent to combat climate change issues. PHOTO: INP/FILE
FAISALABAD: Addressing the inaugural session of a five-day workshop titled Climate Changes Resilient Agriculture Systems, experts from 14 countries discussed issues of hunger, food security and agriculture produce.
The workshop was arranged by the Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (CAS-UAF). Malaysian High Commissioner Dato Dr Hasrul Sani Bin Mujtabar was the chief guest.
Urging all nations to fight the challenges of climate change, Mujtabar suggested all stakeholders including researchers, farming and industry communities and the government to join hands in this regard.
UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said agriculture is the worst affected area with regards to climate change. He was confident the Paris Conference on climate change will bring forth some practical solutions.
“Floods and other climate-related issues have cost Pakistan over $20 billion in the last five years,” said Khan.
“With erratic weather and changing flood patterns, it is high time we introduce climate change resilient crops in place of the short stature crops introduced during the green revolution,” he added.
“Given that rice crops emit greenhouse gases, countries having rice as their staple should consider changing their eating patterns,” he suggested.
“The pace climate change is going about is way faster than expected,” said Ahmad. “With the tremendous amount of natural resources Pakistan has, we must utilise them in a way that enables us to face future challenges.”
Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) Secretary General Mari Amano, in his video message, called for joint efforts to enable sustainable agriculture amid climate changes.
“By 2050, world population would number 10 billion,” said Amano.
CAS Climate Change Chair Head Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Chatha said the current decade has witnessed a temperature increase that would further aggravate the situation.
“Farmers will face challenges such as droughts and flood wreaking havoc on agriculture, fisheries, livestock and poultry,” said Chatha.
Senior Programme Officer APO Dr Muhammad Saeed said the workshop would come up with solutions to address these issues.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2015.
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