Pakistan has urgently appealed to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for assistance in tackling a severe water scarcity crisis that is threatening both drinking supplies and agricultural irrigation, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, announced on Monday.

During a high-level meeting with an FAO delegation, the minister highlighted the critical challenge of falling water levels across the nation. The deliberations, led by Mr. Lifeng Li, Director of the FAO Land and Water Division, addressed the pressing agricultural hurdles facing the country, including deteriorating water quality and the adverse impact of large-scale construction on fertile lands.

Minister Hussain stressed the need for a technological overhaul in the farming sector to boost productivity and sustainability. He called for FAO’s support in deploying modern solutions such as precision irrigation systems, climate-resilient seeds, and advanced water-management technologies to counter the growing environmental pressures.

A central theme of the discussion was the revitalization of Pakistan’s agriculture through flagship projects, with a particular focus on increasing rice yields. The minister emphasized that future FAO-supported initiatives must involve collaboration with national institutions from the initial design phase to ensure local ownership and build institutional capacity.

In response, Mr. Lifeng Li reaffirmed the FAO’s commitment to supporting Pakistan. He confirmed the organization’s readiness to provide technical expertise in water resource management, climate-resilient farming, and agricultural research, including assistance with remote sensing, GIS, climate modeling, and accessing international climate finance.

Both parties agreed to continue dialogue on collaborative projects focused on water management and precision agriculture. The minister underscored that future engagement should prioritize empowering national institutions to lead major project components, with the FAO providing essential technical guidance.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to a long-term, sustainable partnership aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s food security, agricultural output, and climate resilience.