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HYDERABAD, Feb 02 (APP): Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have agreed to establish a joint task team and a comprehensive research agenda aimed at addressing the escalating impacts of climate change on agriculture, food security and rural livelihoods in Sindh.
According to the SAU spokesperson Gul Sher Lochi, the agreement was reached during a seminar jointly organized by SAU and FAO to explore avenues for strengthening collaboration on climate-resilient agriculture, nutrition and sustainable farming systems. The seminar was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor SAU Engr. Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal. FAO Head of Sindh Office Dr Julius Muchemi was also present.
Participants agreed to initiate mapping of climate-affected areas across Sindh to guide evidence-based research and targeted interventions. The two institutions will also collaborate on reducing the harmful impacts of excessive pesticide use, enhancing farmer awareness and launching new community-level initiatives to address malnutrition.
The seminar further reviewed opportunities available under international climate and development frameworks including the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support climate-smart agriculture initiatives in the province.
Addressing the gathering, Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal said that climate change, recurrent droughts and floods posed serious threats to Sindh’s agricultural sector, necessitating science-driven and locally relevant solutions. He said SAU, in partnership with FAO, would focus on soil health management, irrigation efficiency, bio-saline agriculture and engineering-based solutions to mitigate climate risks.
He added that the university was transforming its M.Sc and PhD research from degree-oriented studies to issue-oriented research to ensure that scientific findings directly benefit farmers, planners and policymakers instead of remaining confined to academic archives.
FAO Sindh Head Dr Julius Muchemi said that FAO and SAU were jointly developing an expert-led task team and research agenda to identify priority challenges and translate research outcomes into practical solutions for farmers. He warned that pesticide misuse had emerged as a serious concern, threatening soil health, water resources, food safety, exports and environmental sustainability, and required urgent scientific and regulatory action, particularly in the context of climate change.
Dr Muchemi said FAO was promoting climate-resilient agriculture through on-farm water management, development of low-water and high-yield crop varieties, farmer capacity building and evidence-based decision-support systems. He also highlighted FAO’s interventions in the livestock sector including vaccination programs, improved feed systems and responsible use of antibiotics.
SAU focal person for projects Prof Dr Muhammad Ibrahim Khaskheli briefed participants on the university’s academic, research and development initiatives. He said the two institutions would launch joint flagship projects focusing on food security, climate resilience and enhanced farmer incomes.
Both heads of the institutions and experts agreed that the outcomes of these projects would be shared with the government so that they could be incorporated into relevant policies.
Dean Prof Dr Abdul Mubeen Lodhi, FAO provincial coordinator Dr Ashfaq Ahmed Nahiyoon and several SAU and FAO project representatives also shared their perspectives during the seminar.