Tech-led innovation, conservation crucial to achieve climate-resilient agriculture in Pakistan: Rana Tanveer
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain on Wednesday said the country was bracing galloping impacts of climate change taking a heavy toll on its agriculture sector that demanded technology-led innovation and conservation crucial to achieve climate-resilient agriculture in Pakistan.
The 27th Sustainable Development Conference 2024 organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination underscored the urgent need for public-private collaboration to build resilience in Pakistan’s agriculture sector, which faces mounting challenges from climate change, water scarcity, and outdated farming practices.
Federal Minister, Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted that agriculture sector, contributing 25% of Pakistan’s GDP, is the backbone of the economy but is under significant threat due to climate vulnerability.
Pakistan ranks among the top five most climate-vulnerable countries, making innovation and conservation crucial to ensure food security for future generations. "Our task is to reimagine agriculture for resilience. Water conservation and the use of cutting-edge technologies are vital," Hussain stated.
Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI in his opening remarks framed the conference’s theme, “Fragility to Resilience,” noting that Pakistan remains resilient despite various regional and environmental pressures.
He emphasized the conference's focus on fostering climate resilience through technology, such as climate-smart agriculture, drones, and soil-detection technologies, while recognizing that sustainable development hinges on effective public-private partnerships. “It’s time to engage the private sector as part of the solution,” Suleri added, stressing the importance of empowering communities and farmers through innovation and strategic alliances.
Keynote speaker Dr. Adil Najam, Dean Emeritus at Boston University, USA highlighted that Pakistan’s agricultural productivity is at risk, citing a 2015 LUMS study showing an 8-10% drop in productivity for staple crops like wheat and rice due to climate change.
He argued for local adaptation rather than dependence on global solutions like AI and digital technologies, which often fail to address Pakistan's immediate needs. "Climate change is a present risk that we must adapt to, regardless of our low carbon footprint," Najam stressed, pointing to the need for large-scale solutions backed by powerful actors.
Former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Malik Amin Aslam called Pakistan “a nation born out of resilience.” Aslam reminded the audience of Pakistan’s history of overcoming adversity, from migration crises to earthquakes and wars.
He outlined that agriculture, the country’s largest employer, especially for women, is directly affected by changing temperatures and rainfall. “Climate resilience starts with agriculture resilience,” he said, advocating for climate-smart techniques, better water conservation, and the adoption of new seed technology to match evolving weather patterns.
PepsiCo’s Haseeb Malik shared initiatives aimed at biodiversity conservation in the company’s cultivated lands, noting that improved soil health could boost agricultural exports.
Meanwhile, Khalida Bashir from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination discussed the challenge of securing climate finance, with Pakistan often dependent on loans rather than grants. She called for greater engagement with the private sector to pitch and implement innovative, sustainable projects.
The conference concluded with a collective commitment to harness innovation, expand partnerships, and empower communities to safeguard Pakistan’s agricultural resilience against a backdrop of escalating climate challenges.
