SAU, Canadian firm to develop carbon-neutral villages

HYDERABAD:

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, academia and a Canadian social enterprise have joined hands to establish 100 carbon-neutral villages in Sindh, with work already underway on six pilot projects.

Sindh Agriculture University, in collaboration with HOOPO Canada, organised an informative session on the project at its Hyderabad campus on Thursday.

Project focal person Dr Abdul Waheed said sustainable lifestyle practices were being introduced in the selected villages to reduce carbon emissions and improve local livelihoods. The plan includes plantation of moringa and fruit trees supported by biochar to enhance carbon sequestration and nutrition, promotion of climate-smart livestock management, and training around 109 livestock farmers in silage preparation and preservation.

He added that communities would also be trained to manage food security systems, including food banks and cultivation of nutrient-rich moringa. The initiative is also creating entrepreneurial opportunities for students.