As Pakistan grapples with recurring floods and rising climate pressures, UK-supported technologies introduced in Okara, an important farming district in Punjab, are giving farmers new tools to save costs, improve productivity, and strengthen the country's climate resilience.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott visited Okara to inaugurate an Eddy Covariance Flux Tower, part of the Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) programme. The initiative is funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
Speaking at the ceremony, Marriott stressed the urgency of proactive climate planning. "Pakistan's recent floods are a stark reminder that climate change is a present-day challenge. Too often, action comes only after disaster strikes. From flux towers improving climate data to soil sensors saving water and costs for farmers – these innovations show how science can safeguard lives and livelihoods," she said.
The newly inaugurated flux tower is designed to capture real-time data on water, carbon, methane, and energy exchanges between farmland and the atmosphere. This information is already proving to be vital for authorities. The Punjab Irrigation Department is using the data to allocate water more efficiently, while the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination is employing it to strengthen greenhouse gas reporting for agriculture. Reliable agricultural emissions data is an essential step for Pakistan to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The tower's data is also being integrated with satellite observations to refine national estimates of water use, carbon balance, and methane emissions. This innovation helps Pakistan move from rough approximations to scientifically robust, locally calibrated greenhouse gas inventories. Accurate reporting not only keeps the country aligned with global climate goals but also enhances its eligibility for international climate finance.
During the visit, Marriott was also briefed on another innovation – soil moisture sensors. These low-cost devices provide farmers with accurate information about when to irrigate their fields. By avoiding unnecessary watering, farmers reduce both water and electricity consumption while boosting yields. Many Okara farmers using the sensors have already reported lower input costs and higher productivity, underscoring how simple technologies can transform rural livelihoods.
The initiatives come at a crucial time. Pakistan has faced devastating floods in recent years, leading to loss of life, displacement, and extensive damage to agricultural lands. Experts warn that without better data and planning tools, the country risks being trapped in a cycle of reactive crisis management.
Dr Mohsin Hafeez, Director, Water, Food & Ecosystem at IWMI and WRAP Project Leader, underlined the importance of shifting from short-term responses to long-term resilience. "Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality. Through WRAP, we are building tools that shift us from crisis management to proactive, evidence-based planning. From flux towers that strengthen climate reporting to soil sensors that save farmers water and money, these innovations show how science can protect lives and livelihoods in a changing climate," he said.
The WRAP programme links climate-smart agricultural practices with transparent water accounting, helping Pakistan balance its goals of food and water security while also meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). By strengthening the scientific basis for policymaking, the programme aims to make Pakistan better prepared for future climate shocks, including floods and droughts.
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