Sindh introduces advanced agricultural research to tackle climate change

KARACHI: The Sindh government has introduced advanced agricultural research ‘climate smart technology’ in the province to address the impact of climate change on the agricultural sector.

The inauguration was led by Sindh Minister for Agriculture Sardar Muhammad Baksh Mahar on Saturday. The climate smart technology includes establishment of an MRL laboratory to prevent the spread of Panama disease, promote early cotton cultivation and test pesticide residues in agricultural commodities.

Secretary Agriculture Sohail Ahmed Qureshi, DG Research Dr Mazhar Ali Kerio, DG Engineering Syed Nadim Shah, and farmer leaders Syed Nadim Shah Jamot, Nabi Baksh Sethio, and others attended the event.

According to Mahar, Pakistan, which contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, is facing severe impacts of climate change. Agriculture, the backbone of the country’s economy, is being heavily affected by floods, droughts, glacial melting and unpredictable rainfall. In light of these challenges, agricultural research institutions in Sindh have initiated the introduction of advanced climate smart technology, aiming to ensure food security by achieving higher yields with fewer resources.

He further elaborated that the technology can save 25-30 per cent of irrigation water for wheat and increase production by 10-15 per cent. The double-row planting method for wheat can reduce seed usage by 60 per cent, while the cultivation of low-water crops like mustard can serve as a better alternative during droughts. Other initiatives include tunnel farming of vegetables, trials of saffron in local soil, production of disease-free banana plants, early cotton cultivation, and the establishment of a modern MRL laboratory.

Mahar emphasised that the goal of the technology is to minimise the effects of climate change and establish sustainable agricultural practices in Sindh. These advanced technologies will help address the challenges faced by agricultural production. If adopted on a large scale, these techniques can increase farmers’ incomes and improve agricultural exports.

The Sindh agriculture minister highlighted that these measures mark a significant milestone toward a brighter future for agriculture. Agricultural research institutions are committed to working with farmers to ensure the implementation of these techniques, enabling the effective mitigation of climate change risks.