KARACHI:
Nearly 63% of Pakistan’s population lives in rural areas. For a developing country, this poses many challenges in terms of poverty, illiteracy, distribution of resources, and planning. Most rural areas are faced with climate challenges i.e., heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall and subsequent floodings.
Given that climate events are expected to intensify in the coming years, the government needs to protect and facilitate rural populations through targeted initiatives. The floods last year destroyed many rural areas. Most families still require significant assistance to resume their normal lives. The federal and provincial governments must realise that besides rehabilitating the people, they need to include rural populations in decision-making processes on agricultural policies and infrastructure repairments. Improving education and healthcare facilities is also important to empower local populations. Civil and non-governmental organisations can be utilised to inform local populations about protecting themselves and their livestock and crops during extreme climate events.
The government must rebuild climate-resilient infrastructure in rural regions especially because these areas provide the country with much of its food, and cash crops. Farmers must be provided with the latest technology and trained to ensure that their crops can survive changes in weather patterns. Local and international companies should be incentivised to partner with local entrepreneurs and farmers in rural areas for different projects to reduce poverty and employment as well as promote development in these areas.
Ashfaq Nazeer
Usta Muhammad
Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2023.
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