Dr Zuhair Hasnain
PAKISTAN is situated in semi-arid to arid zone on the planet and confronting raising temperatures. The country is rated to be the 7th most vulnerable country to adverse impacts of climate change. The effects of climate change in Pakistan are heretofore evident from the increased frequencies of floods and droughts, unpredictable behaviour of weather, alterations in crop growing patterns, reduced irrigation efficiencies and the loss of biodiversity. Agriculture sector is of immense importance for the economy of Pakistan as it contributes 18.9 percent to GDP. As industrial sector of the state depends upon agriculture, so climate change directly and indirectly affects economy of Pakistan. It is highly dependent on climate.
Food security is antagonistically affected by climate change as there are abrupt fluctuations in temperature and other environmental factors. It is getting more difficult for farmers to grow crops and raise animals in these conditions. Every crop has its own specific optimum temperature range and water requirement to hit the maturity level. Higher temperatures may favour crop yield but if this temperature persists for a longer time, it results in declined output of crop. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, tends to reduce the protein and nitrogen levels of some crops such as soybean. Although, rise in carbon dioxide, stimulates crop growth but it also lessens nutritional content of crops especially in rice, wheat soybean etc. Precipitation at its extremes, especially floods and droughts, is also inimical for the growth and development of crops. Nowadays, to combat a drought stress is a major challenge to farmers in temperature rising areas. Apart from crops, weeds are comparatively more mitigating to climate change as their ranges of temperature for survival are likely to be increased with changing climate. Changing climatic conditions also affects livestock. Increased temperature increases vulnerability of animals to diseases, reduces fertility and milk production. Indirectly, heat stress leads to the failure of forage crops and animals depending on them have to face starvation or scarcity period. So it also becomes problematic for them. Just like weeds, prevalence of parasites and diseases is also increased and their survival becomes easy. These climate change-induced diseases adversely affect the livestock. Increased carbon dioxide content in atmosphere promotes pastures growth but at the same time it reduces nutritious contents of livestock feed. So in order to get enough nutrition, cattle have to eat more.
The Himalayan glaciers of Pakistan are currently feeding six big rivers of Asia, but changing climate leads to the melting of these glaciers and they are anticipated to completely melt down in next half century. This may result in terrible water scarcity in the country as well. In short, climate change is a big hindrance in achieving the target of getting bumper yields of major crops of the country and it is also depleting the natural resources of water. Most importantly, this changing climate is damaging the country in the form of economic shocks as its economy is agriculture based. The potential adverse impacts of climate change on agriculture sector can be havoc in the country. It will result not only in a declined food quality and safety but also limited food access to people. In order to mitigate the impact of climate change, government of Pakistan has taken different initiatives among which most important is Green Pakistan ie, growth of 100 million trees in 5 years. Different projects are being implemented under the Green Pakistan project of Prime Minister. In agriculture sector, focus is needed in adaptation of farming practices in accordance with climate change. Research work should be done to understand the behaviour of crop plants in response to changing climatic conditions. The tools of climate and crop modelling are crucial for agriculture sector as they let us understand the crop-atmosphere interactions. It will be helpful for farmers who face difficulty in managing their crops on poor soils in harsh and risky climates. Also they assist researchers in taking an integrated approach to finding solutions in the complex problem of weather, soil and crop management.
Fortunately, it will assist policy makers in policy management in agricultural meteorology. Improved seeds, efficient fertilization, wise utilization of irrigation water, adequate research efforts and good extension services to farmers in relation to agricultural crops and climate change can be proved beneficial strategies to combat the harmful impacts of climate change. It is the dire need of time to take steps to mitigate climate change not only in Pakistan but also at global level as precisely we do not have any back up planet.
—The writer is Assistant Professor and Project Director Attock Campus, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi.
