Hallmarking to implementing novel ideas for sustainable development in Thar, the country's top agriculture research body, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has declared Thar Foundation's Pilot project of Bio-Saline Agriculture in Thar "a great success".
Thar Foundation and PARC have also decided to scale up the project to more focus on creating livelihood opportunities for local farmers to make sustainable earnings for the poor households of a natural disaster-hit region of Tharparkar.
Thar Foundation in partnership with PARC had joined hands in 2018 for a pilot project and have successfully tested grafted species of Bairi (Jujube), Lemon and Cheeku (Sapota) over an area of 20 acres with drip irrigation as a mode of irrigation through Biosaline Agriculture.
In order to implement the initiative, Thar Foundation and PARC inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the collaboration which will focus on the trials of salt-resistant fodder and cash crop species, training of local farmers, information exchange and awareness campaigns, and developing an economic value chain for the previously tested species.
According to a statement issued here Tuesday, the partnership between Thar Foundation & PARC strengthened with the renewal of MoU to promote Biosaline Agriculture. The two organizations agree to carry on their collaboration to pursue the common objective of developing Biosaline agriculture and promoting livelihood opportunities in Thar.
The MoU was signed during a ceremony held here at Thar Coal Block site and signed by Naseer Memon, General Manager Thar Foundation and Dr Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC.
As per the project, Thar Foundation will provide land in addition to the 20 acres previously allocated for the execution of a multi-directional Biosaline project along with the required resources i.e. water and seeds procurement/ saplings. Thar Foundation will also continue to provide the necessary support to facilitate the execution of projects including the provision of funds to the farmers.
Speaking on the occasion, PARC Chairman, Azeem Khan appreciated the efforts of Thar Foundation for the successful germination and yield of Jujube and Lemon orchard in Thar on saline water. He termed the pilot project a "great success" and said that SECMC and Thar Foundation are an important strategic partner for the promotion of Biosaline Agriculture in the Thar region.
Naseer Memon, GM Thar Foundation said that the Biosaline Agriculture has the potential to contribute towards the Zero Hunger Goal as enlisted under UN-SDG's and TF is aiming to make Islamkot an SDG compliant Taluka by 2025.
HSE Manager of SECMC, Umair Aslam Butt and Project Director of AZRI Center, Dr Attaullah also spoke on the occasion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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