Punjab and UN Join Hands to Shield Farms from Climate Shocks

The Punjab government and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization have partnered to create a new data platform aimed at safeguarding agriculture from climate-related challenges and water scarcity. This collaborative effort, known as the Agriculture, Climate and Water Punjab Consortium, was officially launched through a memorandum of understanding at its inaugural meeting.

The platform will integrate data from Punjab’s agriculture, irrigation, and environment departments, alongside the Planning and Development Board and the Punjab Information Technology Board, with technical assistance from the FAO. The initiative primarily targets five districts in southern Punjab: Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, and Dera Ghazi Khan.

This project is part of a larger FAO endeavor focused on the Indus Basin, funded by the Green Climate Fund and jointly financed by the governments of Punjab and Sindh. To date, the project has deployed 24 automatic weather stations, including 15 in Punjab and nine in Sindh, along with monitoring systems for canal flows, groundwater, and other climate and agricultural metrics.

The data collected through these systems will be integrated into the ACWA portal, designed to serve as a centralized hub for government officials to access vital information for planning, policymaking, agricultural advisories, and water resource management.

The consortium aims to consolidate fragmented data under a government-operated platform to address escalating climate risks and water shortages. By establishing protocols for data sharing, security, licensing, and confidentiality, the consortium will outline departmental roles in data contribution and system maintenance. Additionally, discussions will address the future hosting and upkeep of the portal post-project completion.

Rafaqat Ali, Secretary of the Planning and Development Board, emphasized the growing significance of reliable and timely information on climate, agriculture, and water resources for Punjab’s development planning. He highlighted that unifying information on a single platform could enhance coordination and facilitate better investment and resource management decisions.

James Okoth, the FAO Representative for Pakistan, underscored the organization’s commitment to offering ongoing technical support and aiding Punjab in fostering more resilient agricultural and food systems. Okoth noted that the consortium would bolster coordination and evidence-based decision-making. The meeting also featured a demonstration of the ACWA portal, showcasing its current functionalities, key features, and operational capabilities.