Global warming: Pakistan may face a big drop in crop yields

Experts warn of food insecurity if steps are not taken in time.

FAISALABAD:

Speakers at the ‘International Seminar on Climate Change’ expressed concern about the state of climate change in Pakistan, saying that unless it takes adaptive and mitigating measures, the country could face yield reduction in major crops from 7% to 45% in the next four decades. The three-day international seminar was organised by Agro Climatology Lab of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).

Addressing the participants, chief guest Dr Qamarul Zaman Chaudhry urged the gathering to play pivotal role in mitigating the impact of climate change and be focused on taking adaptive measures. Professor Dr Gerrit Hoogenboom, agricultural model inter-comparison and improvement project resource person at the Washington State University, emphasised the need to translate climate forecast into decision support for agriculture.

“We see a high level of interest in weather and climate change, but this interest has to be developed locally,” he said noting recent trends. Research alone was not sufficient but participatory approach for co-learning and dissemination involving a wide range of talent and institutions will increase the benefit manifolds.

Participants unanimously agreed on the need for a coherent and integrated plan to address the issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2013.

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