Climate changes, water, agriculture management vital to mitigate floods devastation

Nexus among climate changes, water and agriculture managements are vital to mitigate devastating floods, hunger and natural calamities. It was echoed by speakers at an international seminar titled: global changes and Pakistan perspective with theme climate, water and agriculture nexus: a futuristic approach to fight huger arranged by Agro Climatology Lab, Department of Agronomy University of Agriculture Faisalabad.
Chairing the inaugural session, Punjab Education and Law Minister Rana Mashhod Ahmad Khan on Tuesday said that the Punjab Government was taking all possible steps in relief and rehabilitation work for floods affected people. He was of the view that the country was running through difficult times as the floods had played havoc with the lives of people and agricultural productivity. He urged all the political parties to play their due role to steer the affected people out of crises. He called for enhanced efforts on the part of scientists, policymakers and others to tackle climate changes. The changes are spreading massive devastation in the form of floods, drought etc, he said, adding that climate changes affect agriculture sector which is the backbone of our economy.
He pinned hope on UAF scientists to draw up a comprehensive roadmap in order to deal with climate changes issue. He congratulated the UAF for becoming first-ever Pakistani educational institution ranked among top 100 varsities of the globe. He said that the day will come when the UAF would emerge among top 10 universities world-wide under the leadership of Vice Chancellor.
The scientists of Punjab Agricultural Universities Ludhiana, India admit that they are the getting benefit from the UAF in research for making tremendous contributions to agriculture sector, he added. Earlier, UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan lauded the steps being taken on the part of provincial government in the relief and rehabilitation work of flood victims. He said that the mechanism on the bases of scientific methods was the need of the hour to tackle the natural calamities. He said that the University has launched a massive relief and rehabilitation campaign for flood victims. He said that in the first phase, edible and other daily use items would be disbursed among the affected people. He said that in the second phase, agricultural inputs including seed, fertilizer, pesticides; and implements would be given to the victims in order to rehabilitate their lands for earning their livelihood.
He said that in 2010 massive floods, UAF staff and students helped the victims in Athara Hazari Tehsil, District Jhang, where agricultural inputs, implements, school text books and bags were distributed. These initiatives helped the farming community to land on their feet and to increase agricultural production.
Dr Toshio Koike from University of Tokyo, Japan said that Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) was meant to making efforts jointly on scientific bases in order to mitigate the impact of climate changes. He said his country is using weather prediction, climate assessment, and seasonal model that help face the different challenges confronting the country. He said that inter-disciplinarily and trans- disciplinarily approaches must be promoted for the sustainable development.
Federal Parliamentary Secretary on Economic Affairs Rana Muhammad Afzal said called for stepped up efforts to fight the climate changes. He was of view that the increasing climate changes are posing threat to the human beings. He said that all possible steps are being taken for the relief of flood affected people.
Professor Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Chatha said natural resources are being suffered by the climate changes. He said integrated approaches about the water, climate and agriculture will help mitigate the sufferings. He called for developing the flood and rainwater harvesting mechanism to avert the losses. He said that they are producing tangible researches for fighting the challenges of climate changes. He said the country was becoming the one of worst victims of climate changes that needs intensified and co-ordinated efforts.
Dr Fahad Rasool said climate changes and melting glaciers are the area of concerns for which we have to expedite our efforts. He said that Pakistan was blessed with tremendous natural resources. We have to utilise these resources rationally to face the future challenges. Dr Ghulam Rasool, Chief Meteorologist, Pakistan, Dr Maheswor Shreshta from Tokyo University, Dean Agri Engineering Professor Dr Allah Buksh, Professor Dr Muhammad Ashfaq, and Professor Dr Muhammad Jahanzeb Chema addressed the technical session.