(By: Mian Iftikhar Ahmad)
Faisalabad: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) hosted an Australian delegation under the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)-funded project titled “Climate-Resilient and Adaptive Water Distribution in Pakistan.” The visit aimed to review the ongoing research progress and strengthen collaborative efforts for sustainable water management in Pakistan.The delegation included Dr. Neil Lazarow (Research Program Manager for Water, ACIAR), Dr. Munawar Raza Kazmi (ACIAR Country Manager), Dr. Mobeen-ud-Din Ahmad (Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO), Ms. Susan Cuddy (Senior Experimental Scientist, CSIRO), and Dr. Waiz. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali warmly welcomed the team and appreciated their collaborative efforts in agricultural research and water resource management.
During the session, Prof. Dr. Asif Kamran, a socio-economic expert, briefed the delegates on the project’s socio-economic progress, while Dr. Umair Gul shared updates on irrigation and agricultural inputs.Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Neil Lazarow highlighted ACIAR’s more than 40-year commitment to Pakistan, reaffirming its continued role in capacity building and research collaboration. Dr. Munawar Raza Kazmi appreciated UAF’s longstanding partnership with ACIAR, noting that the ongoing project would further strengthen institutional ties and help smallholder communities better understand and manage water resources.
Dr. Mobeen-ud-Din Ahmad emphasized that the project’s participatory design would enhance canal water reliability under changing climatic conditions, ensuring practical and comprehensive outcomes. He added that the project investigates water distribution systems at both inter-provincial and watercourse levels.
Ms. Susan Cuddy shared her insights on gender inclusion in agriculture, stressing that climate change poses serious challenges to women and smallholders. She said the project’s activities aim to strengthen community processes and empower women in the agriculture sector.
In his remarks, UAF Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali praised ACIAR’s contributions to Pakistan’s agricultural development, particularly through its funded projects at UAF. He commended the team’s dedicated efforts and underscored the importance of efficient irrigation methods and on-farm water management to address the emerging challenge of water scarcity under climate change. He further noted that on-farm water storage systems are essential to support small farmers in managing water supply effectively, assuring full support from UAF for current and future ACIAR initiatives.
The project team comprises members from CSIRO, IRSA, PCRWR, UAF, SACAN, On-Farm Water Management (OFWM), and provincial irrigation departments. Initiated in November 2024, the project is scheduled for completion in June 2029.
