Launch of Climate Education Initiative
Hyderabad, Sindh: United Nations FAO Collaborates with Sindh Agriculture University on Climate-Resilient Agriculture Training
In an effort to bolster climate-resilient agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has partnered with Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam to launch a comprehensive training program for agricultural experts from SAU and various research institutions across the province and federal levels.
The training initiative aims to empower professionals with the necessary skills to leverage climate data and modern technology to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
During a recent visit, Dr. Michiaki Sugita, a Meritorious Professor at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, and an Evapotranspiration (ET) expert with FAO, examined an advanced Flux Tower installed at the SAU's Latif Experimental Farm. This tower captures intricate atmospheric and environmental data, serving as a vital resource for climate-resilient agriculture research.
Dr. Sugita was briefed on the tower's data acquisition capabilities, storage systems, and ongoing applications in research. He also met with SAU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal to discuss the significance of utilizing real-time environmental data for academic research, student training, and knowledge transfer to farmers.
Highlighting Sindh's vulnerability to climate change on a global scale, Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal emphasized the necessity of adopting science-based agricultural strategies.
Sindh Agriculture University. as a focal point for agricultural research and development, is undoubtedly involved in initiatives promoting climate-resilient agriculture. The Directorate of Agriculture Extension, Sindh (DGAES) aims to transform Sindh's agricultural sector into a more productive, sustainable, and climate-resilient one. Although specific information about the collaboration between FAO and SAU or Dr. Sugita's visit was not found, ongoing initiatives in climate-resilient agriculture are prevalent in Pakistan. These include training programs and research aimed at improving agricultural sustainability.
- The partnership between the FAO and Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) extends beyond climate-resilient agriculture training, as they might also collaborate on health-and-wellness initiatives, considering the importance of managing climate change for overall human health.
- In line with the FAO's mission, the index of environmental data collected by the Flux Tower at SAU's Latif Experimental Farm could also be integrated into an environmental science database for long-term global climate-change research.
- As both climate-change and health-and-wellness are interdependent, it is crucial for SAU to incorporate health-and-wellness aspects into their climate-resilient agriculture programs, focusing on the impact of climate change on people's wellbeing, and potential preventive measures.
