Karachi: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Sindh have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable water management under a Green Climate Fund (GCF)-supported initiative aimed at protecting vulnerable farming communities from the growing impacts of climate change.
The commitment was reiterated during a high-level review meeting between an FAO delegation, led by Robert Simpson, Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific and FAO Representative ad interim, and senior officials of the Sindh Government, chaired by Bilal Ahmed, Acting Chairman of the Planning and Development Department.
The meeting assessed progress under the GCF-funded project, Transforming the Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management, reviewed key achievements, and discussed future interventions to enhance climate adaptation, improve water governance, and strengthen interdepartmental coordination.
FAO informed the meeting that the project was being implemented in three districts of Sindh with the objective of improving climate information services, promoting climate-smart agriculture, strengthening farmers’ resilience, and ensuring sustainable water resource management.
Officials highlighted that Master Trainer Farmer Facilitators have been trained to lead Climate Business Farmer Field Schools across project areas, where farmers were receiving practical training in climate-resilient farming practices, efficient irrigation techniques, and sustainable agricultural methods to improve productivity while reducing climate-related risks.
The meeting was also informed that the Hydro Informatics Center of the Sindh Irrigation Department was using data generated through FAO-installed Automatic Weather Stations to provide localized weather advisories, enabling farmers to make informed decisions and better prepare for extreme weather events.
FAO further announced plans to collaborate with Sindh Agriculture University to formally accredit the Farmer Field School curriculum, ensuring the long-term institutionalization and expansion of climate-smart agricultural practices across the province.
Appreciating FAO’s continued technical support, Bilal Ahmed acknowledged the significant progress achieved under the project and reaffirmed the Sindh Government’s commitment to ensuring its successful implementation. He also stressed the need for stronger coordination among stakeholders to maximize the project’s impact.
Speaking on the occasion, Robert Simpson emphasized that sustained collaboration between FAO and the Government of Sindh was essential to strengthening food security and supporting farmers facing the increasing challenges of climate change.
He underscored the importance of agro-meteorological information systems in developing effective early warning mechanisms, enabling farmers to anticipate climate hazards, adopt appropriate adaptation measures, and build long-term resilience. He also emphasized institutionalizing the Farmer Field School approach to ensure the continued dissemination of climate-smart agricultural knowledge and innovation.
The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge by FAO and the Government of Sindh to deepen cooperation in advancing climate-resilient agriculture, strengthening water management, enhancing institutional capacity, and securing sustainable livelihoods for farming communities across the province.