Sindh faces 61pc rainfall shortfall
HYDERABAD: Agricultural scientists and environmental experts have called for urgent measures to address the growing impact of climate change on Sindh’s agriculture, including the establishment of a global scientific coordination mechanism, digitization of farming and recognition of soil biodiversity as a form of “natural capital.” The experts made the recommendations at a special seminar and…
HYDERABAD: International agricultural scientists and environmental specialists gathered for a seminar titled "From Soil to Society" at Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, with the aim of addressing climate change's detrimental effects on Sindh’s agricultural sector. Vice Chancellor Engr. Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal highlighted the province's shifting meteorological patterns, noting that July rainfall had been 61% lower than the historical average.
This drastic rainfall shortfall is causing severe challenges for agriculture, soil health, and water availability in the region.
Dr Siyal emphasized that soil health and biodiversity should not only be viewed through the lens of agriculture but should also be recognized for their significant economic contributions to the GDP. To bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and farmers, he advocated for translating university research, especially PhD research, into easily understandable languages.
Additionally, Dr Siyal stressed the importance of accelerating the digital transformation of agriculture to enable farmers to make informed decisions and improve productivity.
Dr Hafeez ullah Babar, Principal Scientist and Director of the Soil Fertility Institute, Tandojam, shared alarming statistics about land degradation in Sindh. He revealed that 62% of the province’s land is barren or marginally cultivable, while nearly 61% of its soils suffer from salinity, water logging, and other forms of degradation.
According to World Bank estimates, the degradation of natural resources in Sindh is costing the province the equivalent of 4 to 6% of its GDP annually, with agriculture contributing around 46% of these losses.
Dr Babar proposed several solutions, including promoting local production of microbial bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and organic fertilizers to establish a robust green economy, create new economic opportunities, and reduce dependency on environmentally harmful agricultural inputs. He urged the government to launch a National Soil Biodiversity Mission and establish a National Soil Microbiome Atlas to document and protect the largely unexplored soil biodiversity.
Furthermore, he proposed the establishment of "Living Soil Laboratories" and urged policymakers to integrate soil health into national strategies for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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