Depleting resources, declining crop productions: Sindh may face food shortage in future: experts

Experts warn the people of Sindh province of facing food shortage in future, because of depleting resources and declining crop productions. They link the destruction to the climate variations, which they urge the government and researchers to identify the problems and solutions. They were speaking at a seminar on 'Climate Change: Issues, challenges and opportunities for the landless peasants and farmer communities', organized by Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam in collaboration with International Labor Organization (ILO), FAO and UN Women at the university.
The participants include peasant women, hailing from different agriculture farms, researchers, academia, civil society activists and students, associated to different departments of Sindh Agriculture University. Muhammad Arif Goheer, Director Global Climate Change Study Center Islamabad, Muhammad Tausif Alam, Ex chief Meteorologist Pakistan, Alfarido Lazatee, Director ILO Area of Critical Importance Geneva, Abid Niaz, National Coordinator of ILO Islamabad, SAU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mujeebuddin Memon Sahrai, former chief economist Sindh Ghulam Mustafa Abro, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum Chairperson Muhammad Ali Shah, Professor Ismail Kumbhar, senior journalist Ishaq Mangrio, Sikandar Brohi, Executive director Participatory Development Initiative (PDI), Suhail Sangi, senior journalist, Zahida Detho of Sindh Rural Partner Organisation (SRPO), Qalandar Shah Lakiary, educationist and Dr Ali Murtaza Dharejo spoke on the occasion.
Abid Niaz of ILO said Sindh is at tail end in Pakistan and generally there might be either flood or drought situation. If there is more water it may cause flood while in shortage of water the province may experience droughts.
In this situation, ILO official said they have identified areas in Mirpurkhas district, which is tail end of Jamrao Canal while Dadu district is considered tail end of Rice Canal. Hence, due to both situations they are working for livelihood resilience to save the people. Mujeebuddin Memon Sahrai, Vice Chancellor Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), sharing his experiences said peasants and rural communities are most vulnerable in terms of losing source of living. He stressed the need for awareness to the peasant people, who are paying price of negligence by the responsible institutions.
He advised the people to look at the history of the past and realize how we are standing in our areas. The VC fears that how global warming may affect the human being. Memon said despite the fact Pakistan has such natural rich resources; the people are facing threats due to climatic changes. It is not only the responsibility of rich people but poor have also similar responsibilities and may play role to mitigate the disaster threats, he said.
The seminar urged the need to sensitize community on reducing the anthropogenic contribution to climate change, with women in focus. With this mitigation endeavour, the adaptation to climate smart crops needs to be actively pleasured. In the recommendations, they suggested the disaster risk assessment paradigm needs a re-orientation. The triggers may be emphasized, so that effective strategies could be evolved for converting the threats into opportunities.
The speakers suggested that clear strategies, short, mid and long term may be evolved for building the resilience of farmers and at the same time reducing the probability of occurrence of emergencies through mitigation interventions at community, provincial and national levels. Jobs and employment of the Harris and laborers are extremely prone to the adverse impacts of climate change induced disasters. Livelihood resilience through diversification need to be promoted. The skill development programs of the government have a critical role to play.
They suggested that social protection of the vulnerable communities be ensured through risk transfer, micro-insurance and effective financial inclusion. They suggested that investment in DRR infrastructure (community and area levels) be undertaken to reduce the risk from anticipated disasters.