Climate-smart farming

Pakistan’s agriculture is under severe pressure from rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods, droughts and water stress. Research on climate-smart agriculture in Pakistan notes that these practices are meant to sustainably increase productivity, enhance resilience and reduce/remove greenhouse gases. These practices are especially important because they address the country’s chronic challenges of drought, flood and intense heat.

Pakistan should therefore treat climate-smart farming as an urgent necessity. This means expanding drip irrigation, promoting drought-tolerant and heat-resistant seeds, improving extension services, investing in farmer training and supporting research into resilient crop varieties. If we want to achieve food security, rural stability and sustainable agriculture, we must help farmers adapt before the next flood, heatwave or drought causes even deeper damage. As the global climate becomes ever more unpredictable, farming techniques will have to adapt to a new era in order to provide food security.

Fatima Sharif

Islamabad