ISLAMABAD: In the Potohar region, which is known for its breathtaking landscape and historical significance comprising cities like Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, agriculture is solely dependent on rainfall. But farmers in the area face a formidable adversary: climate change. This silent enemy poses a significant threat to their way of life and quietly affects their livelihood.
In a region of more than 28,448.9 km2, known for growing staple crops such as wheat, maize, pearl millet, gram, barley and groundnut, the impact of climate change is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Nowhere is this more evident than in the arid region of Barani nestled in the heart of Potohar. Water scarcity and erratic weather conditions, exacerbated by climate change, have become a harsh reality that farmers and the entire population face on a daily basis He pointed out that the delayed snowfall this year could lead to a thin layer of snow that could melt quickly as temperatures rise. In addition, April witnessed an unusually wet spell which caused significant damage to the mature wheat crop in Punjab. Highlighting the economic implications, Memon highlighted Pakistan’s heavy dependence on agriculture, which forms the backbone of its economy. Any adverse impact on agricultural production due to climate change would directly affect markets as the purchasing power of citizens would drop sharply. Agriculture in particular accounts for more than 40% of rural employment, meaning that any failure in this sector would lead to increased rural unemployment and stagnant urban markets.
This means matching crops, varieties and water management strategies to rapidly changing climate conditions. He emphasized the need for increased investment in research to effectively address these challenges.
Lumberdar Raja Tassadique Hussain, a well-known wheat and groundnut farmer in the rain-fed agricultural area of Gujar Khan, shared his community’s concerns about climate change and said local farmers have been deeply affected by the effects of climate change. Erratic weather patterns, especially in terms of rainfall, are becoming increasingly unpredictable, posing significant challenges to our agricultural practices and livelihoods.
The delayed onset of rains disrupts our wheat and groundnut planting plans, leading to reduced yields and poor crop quality. Conversely, sudden downpours and floods during critical growth stages drown our crops, washing away months of hard work and investment in an instant.
Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, an agricultural expert and director of the Tandojam Agricultural University, advocates that Pakistani farmers adapt to climate change by implementing various strategies. These include effective water management practices such as drip or sprinkler irrigation, along with rainwater harvesting and building small water reservoirs to ensure water availability during dry periods. Crop diversification, a focus on heat and drought resistant varieties, and support for climate resilient crop research are also essential. The use of improved meteorological services aids informed decision-making. Conservation agriculture, which minimizes soil disturbance and maintains soil cover, is essential. Dr. Kumbhar highlights the serious, multifaceted implications of climate change for food security and livelihoods in Pakistan. Reduced water availability from retreating glaciers threatens irrigation, while erratic rainfall amplifies erosion and soil degradation. Livestock farming faces challenges due to lack of pasture and water with increased incidence of disease. In the last five years, global change has had catastrophic effects worldwide, affecting countries such as Pakistan, China, India, Bangladesh and Dubai. Devastating floods, extreme weather events and deadly heat waves are becoming more frequent and severe. Pakistan faces recurring floods that displace millions of people and damage infrastructure and agriculture. China is dealing with heat waves and torrential rains that are causing widespread destruction. India and Bangladesh are suffering from cyclones and rising sea levels that are displacing coastal communities and exacerbating poverty. Even Dubai is experiencing unprecedented flooding, exposing the vulnerability of rapidly expanding urban areas to climate risks. These crises highlight the urgent need for global action. The United Nations must prioritize decisive action to mitigate climate change and protect vulnerable populations.
