Hyderabad: Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) have agreed to broaden their research collaboration in Sindh, with a focus on water management, livestock, climate resilience and Arid agriculture amid growing challenges facing the province’s farming sector.
The understanding was reached during a visit by ACIAR General Manager Partnerships Dr Suzie Newman, accompanied by ACIAR Country Manager for Pakistan Dr Munawar Kazmi, to SAU, where they met Vice Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr Altaf Ali Siyal, Dean Faculty of Crop Protection Dr Abdul Mubeen Lodhi and university researchers.
The SAU spokesperson Gul Sher Lochi informed, the meeting reviewed ACIAR’s ongoing research portfolio in Pakistan and explored opportunities for new joint projects, capacity building and innovation, with particular emphasize on involving local communities and students in research activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Dr Altaf Ali Siyal said international research partnerships were important for addressing emerging challenges in agriculture and ensuring that research findings translated into practical benefits for farmers and rural communities.
He said livestock had played a significant role in supporting rural livelihoods during past floods, adding that Australian investment and technical cooperation in livestock and water-related projects could contribute to addressing some of Sindh’s pressing challenges.
Dr Siyal said Sindh faced serious water-related issues and that a substantial part of the province comprised arid and desert areas. Research and international expertise in arid agriculture, he added, could help develop sustainable farming practices suited to these conditions.
Dr Suzie Newman appreciated SAU’s research and academic activities and expressed ACIAR’s interest in further strengthening its partnership with the university and other agricultural research institutions in Pakistan.
She said ACIAR intended to expand existing projects and develop new initiatives with agriculture universities and research organizations across the country. She emphasized that involving local communities and students as the next generation of researchers and technical professionals would help improve the impact and sustainability of such initiatives. ‘SAU as a research partner would be a matter of pride for ACIAR,’ she said.
Dr Munawar Kazmi said ACIAR was establishing four ‘living laboratories’ and initiating projects in collaboration with the Sindh government. He said a workshop would be held on Sept 3 to discuss the initiatives, with experts from SAU and other institutions expected to contribute proposals for future research projects.
Dr Abdul Mubeen Lodhi said Sindh had significant export potential for mangoes, bananas and other fruits to markets in the United States, Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Central Asia and other parts of the world.
He stressed the need for institutional and research support to address production, quality, disease and post-harvest challenges and help local produce meet as per international standards.
The delegation also discussed challenges related to banana, mango, rice, pulses and cotton production as well as research-based solutions, farmer participation, capacity building and the adoption of modern practices.
Later, the ACIAR team visited the Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, where it was briefed on the university’s academic, research and field activities. The delegation also visited the Malir Model Farm and observed ongoing agricultural and mango field research.
