Islamabad: The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), held a workshop focused on implementing low carbon agricultural practices, specifically targeting rice production in Punjab. The event, conducted at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad, gathered experts to discuss the integration of Alternate Wetting and Drying techniques and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Measurement.

According to Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, the workshop featured a collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), University of the Philippines, Los Baños (UPLB), Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP), and the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI). Dr. Fakhre Alam Irfan, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, highlighted the event’s significance in the context of climate change and agricultural innovation. He detailed government initiatives aimed at converting diesel and electric tube wells to solar power and promoting sustainable rice production methods to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint.

Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman of PARC, emphasized Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change and the critical need for sustainable agricultural practices. He outlined PARC’s efforts in developing climate-resilient crop varieties and innovative farming techniques essential for reducing GHG emissions.

Ms. Noriko Sato, ADB’s Senior Natural Resources Specialist, underscored Pakistan’s responsibilities under the Paris Agreement and stressed the importance of precise data collection for effective climate action and policy-making tailored to Pakistan’s specific conditions.