Water is the key to food security. Major changes in policy and management, across the entire agricultural production chain, are needed to ensure best use of available water resources in meeting growing demands for food and other agricultural products.

The speakers stated this while addressing a seminar on ‘Water for Sustainable Development: Impacts of Climate Change on Water & National Food Security’ in connection with World Water Day on March 19, 2015.

The seminar was organised by Pir Mehr Ali Shah-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) in collaboration with Oxfam, Indus Consortium and UN-Habitat. On the occasion, Dr. Shamsul-Mulk, former Wapda chairman, was the chief guest, while Professor Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of the PMAS-AAUR, was the guest of honour.

Dr. Shamsul-Mulk, former Wapda chairman, while addressing, encouraged the students to pursuit contemporary knowledge in the fields of science and technology and urged the faculty to impart education in the language students think in. He said that Pakistan possesses the largest water drain system in the world, and it was difficult to understand how a country with such resources is poor. He was of the view “Pakistan’s rulers should take up concrete projects for the country.” “Students and civil society will have to play a crucial role in creating a larger consensus, as larger water reservoirs will benefit every Pakistani,” he added.

Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of the PMAS-AAUR, informed the gathering that a conventional farmer gets 5-6 tonnes yield of vegetables from per acre of land while a progressive farmer can yield 12-15 tonnes through tunnel farming. He further stated that but we (Arid University) are yielding 300 tonnes per acre at our Rawat farms through hydroponic system. He said “Arid University has become a role model for federal and provincial governments’ institutions in the field of rain water harvesting system. Many institutions are seeking our help in establishing a facility like we have in Rawat. Pakistan spent Rs10 billion last year for importing tomatoes from India. Give me Rs. 2 billion and I will secure your tomato supplies for ten years to the extent that you may also export it to India,” said Dr. Niaz amid thumping round of applause.

Javeria Afzal, adviser (livelihood & adaptation) at Oxfam Novib, said that we need to plan ahead for coping with disasters. Global phenomenon of climate change is also affecting many developed countries but they have resources and technology to significantly reduce the losses. But developing countries like Pakistan are being affected the most despite the fact that Pakistan is at the bottom in emitting greenhouse gases, she added. “In the face of predictions of more extreme weather, Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments and civil society organizations are responsible to protect citizens by following through on their pledges and scaling up current programs that help ensure resilience to climate-related risks,” Javeria emphasised.

Dr. Anwaar Ahmad, PMAS-AAUR’s Director Student Affairs, Hussain Jarwar, Indus Consortium’s national coordinator and Fiza Qureshi, national coordinator of Indus Consortium’s Improving Water Governance Project also addressed on the occasion. They delivered lectures on impacts of climate change on water & food security and highlighted that changes in climate are already affecting the sustainability of agricultural systems and disrupting production. They pointed out that climate change is affecting all four dimensions of food security: food availability, food accessibility, food utilization and food systems stability. They suggested that national food security strategy must be evolved sooner than later and the primary focus of such a strategy should be ensuring food security in extremely food insecure districts.

Students of university’s different departments also conducted a splendid theatre performance, which subtly highlighted the impacts of climate change on water and food security. Two short documentaries were also screened in the event attended by a large number of students and faculty members.

On the occasion, Dr. Shamsul-Mulk, former chairman Wapda also planted a tree on the university premises. An awareness walk to mark World Water Day was also held which was led by Dr Shamsul-Mulk and PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad.

Water is the key to food security. Major changes in policy and management, across the entire agricultural production chain, are needed to ensure best use of available water resources in meeting growing demands for food and other agricultural products.

The speakers stated this while addressing a seminar on ‘Water for Sustainable Development: Impacts of Climate Change on Water & National Food Security’ in connection with World Water Day on March 19, 2015.

The seminar was organised by Pir Mehr Ali Shah-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) in collaboration with Oxfam, Indus Consortium and UN-Habitat. On the occasion, Dr. Shamsul-Mulk, former Wapda chairman, was the chief guest, while Professor Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of the PMAS-AAUR, was the guest of honour.

Dr. Shamsul-Mulk, former Wapda chairman, while addressing, encouraged the students to pursuit contemporary knowledge in the fields of science and technology and urged the faculty to impart education in the language students think in. He said that Pakistan possesses the largest water drain system in the world, and it was difficult to understand how a country with such resources is poor. He was of the view “Pakistan’s rulers should take up concrete projects for the country.” “Students and civil society will have to play a crucial role in creating a larger consensus, as larger water reservoirs will benefit every Pakistani,” he added.

Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of the PMAS-AAUR, informed the gathering that a conventional farmer gets 5-6 tonnes yield of vegetables from per acre of land while a progressive farmer can yield 12-15 tonnes through tunnel farming. He further stated that but we (Arid University) are yielding 300 tonnes per acre at our Rawat farms through hydroponic system. He said “Arid University has become a role model for federal and provincial governments’ institutions in the field of rain water harvesting system. Many institutions are seeking our help in establishing a facility like we have in Rawat. Pakistan spent Rs10 billion last year for importing tomatoes from India. Give me Rs. 2 billion and I will secure your tomato supplies for ten years to the extent that you may also export it to India,” said Dr. Niaz amid thumping round of applause.

Javeria Afzal, adviser (livelihood & adaptation) at Oxfam Novib, said that we need to plan ahead for coping with disasters. Global phenomenon of climate change is also affecting many developed countries but they have resources and technology to significantly reduce the losses. But developing countries like Pakistan are being affected the most despite the fact that Pakistan is at the bottom in emitting greenhouse gases, she added. “In the face of predictions of more extreme weather, Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments and civil society organizations are responsible to protect citizens by following through on their pledges and scaling up current programs that help ensure resilience to climate-related risks,” Javeria emphasised.

Dr. Anwaar Ahmad, PMAS-AAUR’s Director Student Affairs, Hussain Jarwar, Indus Consortium’s national coordinator and Fiza Qureshi, national coordinator of Indus Consortium’s Improving Water Governance Project also addressed on the occasion. They delivered lectures on impacts of climate change on water & food security and highlighted that changes in climate are already affecting the sustainability of agricultural systems and disrupting production. They pointed out that climate change is affecting all four dimensions of food security: food availability, food accessibility, food utilization and food systems stability. They suggested that national food security strategy must be evolved sooner than later and the primary focus of such a strategy should be ensuring food security in extremely food insecure districts.

Students of university’s different departments also conducted a splendid theatre performance, which subtly highlighted the impacts of climate change on water and food security. Two short documentaries were also screened in the event attended by a large number of students and faculty members.

On the occasion, Dr. Shamsul-Mulk, former chairman Wapda also planted a tree on the university premises. An awareness walk to mark World Water Day was also held which was led by Dr Shamsul-Mulk and PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad.