Natural calamities: Farmers, stakeholders for early warning system

LAHORE: Farmers and stakeholders in agricultural economy have stressed for setting up an early warning system to warn farmers against natural calamities, such floods and locust attacks, and bridging the information gap between agriculturists and small farmers so that they receive real-time information, guidance and support to combat any upcoming disaster.

For this purpose, data collection should be ensured and the latest information on innovative technologies and methodologies available in the country and around the world should be compiled and disseminated to the stakeholders.

This was the crux of a discussion arranged by the Agriculture Republic, a think-tank group formed to find remedies to the problems faced by the agriculture sector, said Aamer Hayat Bhandara, founder of the platform, while talking to Business Recorder here on Saturday.

The discussion, moderated by Aamer Hayat Bhandara and Foud Bajwa, also suggested for revamping the existing agricultural-related methodologies and coming up with technology-driven solutions to monitor and solve agricultural issues.

The forum discussing the recent threat caused by locust to the agriculture recommended use of drones to monitor the locusts swarm and for spraying chemicals to minimize the damage. "The government should give subsidies to farmers to encourage the use of latest technology and the process of getting a NOC for importing drone and its utilization in agriculture should be made clear, concise and quick," the speaker said.

The forum also recommended that government institutes should manufacture these drones locally and made them available to the farmers at the earliest. In this connection, Bhandara said the government should engage the private sector to invest in agricultural technology so that farmers can have access to agricultural related services within months.

However, the forum cautioned against heavy use of chemicals through drones, as poisonous substances will damage the environment. The utilization of chemicals against locusts should not continue for a long period, as its side-effects will be unbearable, it observed.

The forum observed that almost 90 percent of the population in irrigated areas is exposed to dangerous levels of arsenic that is found in drinking water. "Hence, there is a strong need to closely monitor the adverse effects of the spraying as well," they added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020