AUP, NCA hold workshop on climate change impacts in KP

Climate Change Centre of Agriculture University Peshawar (AUP) in collaboration with Norwegian Organization (NCA) held a workshop on impact of climate change on the rainfall patterns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The workshop was attended by the officers of provincial government, district government from Swat, Nowshera and Lakki Marwat and NGOs. Professor Saifullah, Dean of the University of Agriculture stated that rain-fed areas are more vulnerable to climate change.
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in these areas. Due to climate change, the changes in rain pattern would have tremendous impact on the livelihood of communities which can result in drought and migration of masses. He appreciated the efforts of NCA and Climate Change Centre to address an important issue arising due and stressed upon to adopt the recommendations of the research carried out in rain-fed areas by Climate Change Centre so that the negative impacts are minimized.
Before that Shah Khalid of NCA welcomed all the participants for spearing time from their busy schedule to attend the workshop. Zohaib Hassan of NCA highlighted the efforts of NCA to eradicate poverty and disaster risk reduction in various parts of the country. He informed that the NCA is working in 4 themes. Climate change is one of the important theme on which they are working.
Professor Zulfiqar, Director of Climate Change Centre in his address informed that the Climate Change Centre established in the university is doing research on various aspects of climate change and capacity building of relevant stakeholders. The activities of Climate Change Centre are being carried out with the financial support of provincial govt and other organization/NGOs. On the basis of research outcome packages are developed to minimize impact of climate change and ensure food security.
He further stated that collaboration with NCA is one of such efforts which helped investigate impacts of Climate change on rain patterns in Swat, Nowshera and Lakki Marwat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Research based recommendations have been developed to address problems arising due to low precipitation or not having rains at the time required by the crops. He suggested the provincial govt and NCA to initiate development efforts on these recommendations so that better livelihood options for the poor communities living in rural areas are created. Professor Tahir Sarwar deliberated on the research results. He informed that due to climate change rain patterns are changing and there is an increase in the temperature due to global warming. Both factors are harming the productive capacity of crops & livestock.
Further, the rain water is mostly run off and there are hardly any efforts to store or conserve this water for use to irrigate crops, provision for livestock and meeting other water requirements. There is an urgent need to store and conserve rainwater to minimize impact of climate change on productivity of agriculture, livestock and human beings.