KARACHI: A conference on Climate Smart Agriculture for Strengthening Food Security Resilience of Smallholder by adapting climate change through multi-level approaching was held at local hotel here on Tuesday.
The conference aimed to disseminate TRDP and WHHs work efforts and adaptation plans with the government relevant departments, civil society actors, media, private sector and other relevant stakeholders.
It was in the continuation of climate change and adaptation project in district Umerkot and Mithi. The project is in the final year of implementation; conference presenting includes a research work of WHH in same area on research of Flora and Fauna, that may increase the interest to stop the depletion of food varieties locally available while showing the nutritional values of them.
The speakers on the occasion highlighted various aspects of the project presented climate change challenges and its pillars i.e., productivity, adaptation and mitigation as well how to cope with climate change challenges by completely different diet; shifting production areas for familiar crops, livestock, and fisheries and restoring degraded farmlands, wetlands, and Forests.
In the presentation showed the process of development of Local Adaptation Plan (LAPA), identification of affected stakeholders, cause of problems of climate change and all possible solutions as well as identified water issues, forests and bio-diversity options.
LAPA also includes the development of seasonal calendar of agriculture activities for district Umerkot. In another presentation scientific results of nutritional analysis of flora and fauna for exploring indigenous solutions to hunger and malnutrition in district Tharparkar. The research includes nutritional values/composition of 45 Flora and Fauna (includes: Vegetables, cereals, beans and milk).
Furthermore Mid-term Evaluation results of Climate Smart Agriculture project of Umerkot were also discussed in a detailed presentation which includes two major components: Progress impact on Months of Adequate Household Food Provisioning (MAHFP) and Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), how project interventions are helping households to add at least one extra food to their food consumption basket, the project achievements are on track and impressive.
The conference recommended that as saline water is not being used by livestock so agriculture on it can be a resourceful idea for households, and then its replication. This will help of revival and use of inundated saline water wells. In the conference community representatives shared experiences of effectiveness of LAPA. Agriculture and livestock management after experiencing effects of climate change.
The speakers elaborated historic background and perspective of arable and barren/Arid-zone lands adding that cash crops consume more water and leave less water for substance crops produce by small farmers in other areas wherein riverine water not available in sufficiently. Appropriate use of conventional and old wisdom is more efficient rather than relying on scientific data.
Mr. Muhammad Saleem Jalbani (Guest of Honor), Senior Chief, (Environment and Climate Change P and DD Govt of Sindh Working on Monitoring System on environment and climate change aspects
Studies are on-going on: Health and environment impacts of pesticides and fertilizer updated dug wells on solar systems for arable lands so resilience on climate change can be improved. Mr. Khadim Hussain, Deputy Secretary, Livestock and Fisheries Department Govt of Sindh has said that exchange of mutual learning on food security aspects with TRDP.
Mr. Noor Mohammad Baloch, Director General, Agriculture and Research Department, Tando Jam, exhibiting the concluding remarks shared analysis of water availability issues in Kohistan and Tharparkar areas. He said that value chain aspects should be introduced for small farmers to increase profit. He added that bio-saline were introduced in Tharparkar and more agriculture lands are cultivated, citrus, fodder, dates etc. crops are cultivated. Dr. Aisha Jamshed, Country Director, WHH on the conclusion of the conference presented vote of thanks and concluding remarks.