Dr. Muhammad Aqil Khan CSISA, Pakistan Country Coordinator
was a guest speaker at
PMAS Arid
Agriculture University,
Rawalpindi on
19th January, 2012. He spoke about
climate change, agriculture and our option. The talk presented a pretty
comprehensive review in the three areas. He discussed the causes, impact and
present scenario of well evident climate change phenomena. Using data and
graphic presentation, he showed, how over last one hundred and fifty years
anthropogenic factors have drastically changed carbon contents of atmosphere
and how this added CO
2 with other green house gases (GHGs) is
affecting the planet temperature and what affect this raised temperature on
water reserves (glaciers in high mountains and polar ice areas) have. This is human
driven and have accentuated over time with increasing exploitation of natural
resources to satisfy industrial-consumer population. Population is increasing
and is likely to be over 9 billion in middle of this century. This would
accelerate natural resource exploitation further in order to meet human needs.
The effect of these factors on
Pakistan
economy was spelled out showing challenges which lie ahead. This has to be
changed, he pointed out, through judicious human efforts. In agriculture,
conservation agriculture is decidedly a way out. It ensures simple, cheap,
effective and efficient agriculture operations which help maintain growth
momentum while cutting energy and labour needs. He explained various CA
technologies and the benefits that accrue as a result. At the end, a lively
discussion followed and faculty staff and students sought solution to many
local problems faced by the local farmers. Finally, Dean/Agriculture who chaired
the meeting thanked the speaker and discussed possibility of future cooperation
in educating students in CA and helping farmers reap the benefits of this
emerging technology. One hundred and fifteen faculty staff and students
participated the seminar.
 |
| Dr. M. Aqil Khan addressing |
 |
| Participants at the occasion |
