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FAISALABAD, Oct 31 (APP):A delegation from Australia visited the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and met Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali to review the progress of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)-funded project titled ‘Climate Resilient and Adaptive Water Allocation in Pakistan’.
The delegation included Dr Neil Lazarow, Research Program Manager for Water at ACIAR; Dr Munawar Raza Kazmi, ACIAR Country Manager; Dr Mobin-u-Din Ahmad, Principal Research Scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO); Senior Experimental Scientist Susan Cuddy (CSIRO); and Dr. Arif Watto (CSIRO).
The meeting focused on evaluating the project’s ongoing research activities and exploring new avenues for collaboration in sustainable water management. The five-year project, launched in November 2024, is scheduled to conclude in June 2029.Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali lauded ACIAR’s long-standing contribution to Pakistan’s agriculture sector, particularly its partnership with UAF through various research initiatives. He emphasized the need for on-farm water storage to help smallholder farmers manage their water supply more effectively, assuring full institutional support for ongoing and future ACIAR collaborations.
Prof. Dr. Asif Kamran, In-Country Socioeconomic Lead, briefed the delegation on the project’s socioeconomic progress, while Dr. Umair Gull presented updates on the irrigation agronomy component.
Dr. Neil Lazarow reaffirmed ACIAR’s 40-year commitment to Pakistan and its continued focus on capacity building and research partnerships. Dr. Munawar Raza Kazmi praised UAF’s cooperation and noted that the current project would further strengthen ties and enhance smallholder farmers’ capacity to manage water resources efficiently.
Dr. Mobin-u-Din Ahmad highlighted that the project’s participatory approach aims to improve canal water reliability under changing climatic conditions, ensuring practical and inclusive outcomes. He added that the project addresses water distribution at both inter-provincial and watercourse levels.
CSIRO Senior Experimental Scientist Susan Cuddy emphasized the importance of gender inclusion in agriculture, noting that climate change disproportionately affects women and smallholders. She said the project’s community-based activities will promote women’s empowerment and strengthen collective action at the grassroots level.
The project consortium includes CSIRO, IRSA, PCRWR, UAF, SACAN, On-Farm Water Management (OFWM), and Provincial Irrigation Departments.