Global Rice News

Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) collaborated to host a workshop aiming to promote climate-smart agricultural research in Pakistan. The event, attended by participants from national and international research organizations, focused on addressing the challenges presented by changing climatic conditions and ensuring sustainable food production and agricultural resilience.

Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of PARC, emphasized the importance of climate-smart agriculture research and the need to engage with international institutions and experts to leverage their knowledge and experiences. The workshop also featured an overview of ADB’s initiatives in Pakistan, including insights on climate change impacts and potential solutions.

One of the key topics discussed was the inefficiencies in water usage in rice cultivation. Dr. Ruben Lampayan, an ADB consultant, highlighted the adoption of water conservation techniques, such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) practices, to enhance rice production while minimizing water consumption. The workshop also emphasized the importance of delivering climate-smart crop varieties to address the challenges of climate change and ensure food security in Pakistan.

Dr. Hiz Jamali, a climate change specialist, highlighted the significant challenge of low water productivity in rice cultivation, exacerbated by water scarcity, unusual rainfall patterns, and rising temperatures. The workshop also showcased success stories by PARC, including enhancing water productivity in rice, developing climate-resilient crop varieties, and addressing climate change implications on water availability in Pakistan’s agriculture sector.

Overall, the workshop served as a platform to exchange knowledge and experiences in climate-smart agricultural research. The collaboration between PARC and ADB seeks to advance sustainable agricultural practices in Pakistan and ensure food security in the face of climate change.

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