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HYDERABAD, Jan 09 (APP):Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam and Balochistan Agriculture College (BAC) Quetta on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost inter-provincial academic and research collaboration on key agricultural and environmental challenges.
These include dry land and rangeland management, climate change adaptation, forestry development, food security and the effective utilization of drainage and rainwater.
The SAU spokesperson Gul Sher Lochi said the MoU signing ceremony was held at the Senate Hall of the university, where the agreement was formally signed by the Vice Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal on behalf of SAU and Principal Prof. Dr. Abdul Razzaque Reki on behalf of BAC.
The collaboration primarily focuses on research related to water flows from Balochistan’s Nari Basin and adjoining areas, drainage water entering Sindh through various natural and artificial channels, rainwater harvesting and the scientific utilization of rain and drainage water for sustainable agricultural production. In addition, joint research initiatives on forestry in Sindh and rangeland management in Balochistan will also be undertaken under this partnership.
Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal highlighted that approximately 25 percent of Balochistan’s runoff enters Sindh through Chukhi, flows via Hamal Lake, and then travels through RBOD to Manchar Lake. He added that water also enters Sindh from Balochistan through Nai Gaj and Hub Dam, underscoring the urgent need for inter-provincial cooperation in research, education and climate resilience.
He noted that in recent years, nearly half of Sindh remained submerged due to extreme climatic situations, with rainfall recorded up to 1,600 mm in certain areas, clearly reflecting the growing intensity of climate change impacts.
He urged that joint scientific research was essential to prevent water wastage, ensure safe storage, develop efficient drainage systems and promote the productive use of rain and drainage water in agriculture. Dr. Siyal further shared that experts from SAU and BAC would collaborate on dry land and rangeland management research in Balochistan, while SAU would contribute its expertise under its newly launched forestry degree program to support forest development initiatives in Sindh. The agreement also includes faculty and graduate exchange programs and joint research projects.
The principal Prof. Dr. Abdul Razzaq Reki stressed that academic institutions must evolve in response to modern challenges, particularly economic pressures, climate change and rapidly advancing technologies.
Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, while addressing the ceremony, stated that the shared water and environmental challenges of Sindh and Balochistan could only be addressed through scientific research and strong inter-institutional collaboration.