Advocacy of Risks and Adaptations to Climate Variability; AgMIP Pakistan Outreach Program for Stakeholders.

Food, feed, fuel and fiber production has been sternly obstructed by climate variability which is an unassailable reality and has been frequently felt in Pakistan via recurring Floods, drought, extreme temperatures, glacial receding, erratic monsoon pattern proving to be an eye opener for legislators. Recent  scientific development proved to be helpful for farmers to adopt in the variable climate if addressed appropriately can lead to sustainable development of climate resilient farmlands in developing countries. Integrated weather, crop and economic modelling techniques developed are providing solutions to farmers around the world through AgMIP global program through its stakeholder liaison. AgMIP-Pakistan team took various initiatives of engaging farmers, policy makers, Agricultural and Agri-extension departments of Govt. of Pakistan, Public and private companies in agribusiness, academia and researchers throughout the country and brought them at one platform to discuss their woes pertaining to vulgarities of climate variability which have been faced or are under threat in one or the other way. About 800 participants registered with AgMIP Pakistan in 4 major events held during Phase-1 and in Phase 2 abouut the same number of people in different cropping zones have been taken on board. More than 15 media groups given coverage to AgMIP-Pakistan’s events on electronic and print media. Recent floods fo 2015, droughts and dwindling pattern and intensity of rainfall has played havoc with the farming communities and associated agrarian businesses, the main stay of economy.  Integrated assessment to measure the risks and possible adaptive measures that can lead to sustainable solutions in short, medium and long term climatic conditions have been focused extensively in the kick-off, mid-term and finish line workshops, farm surveys, RAPs (Representative Agricultural Pathways), research articles, literature publishing in local language along with electronic and print media to educate and engage the stakeholders. An important milestone was a website (www.agmip.pk) developed by AgMIP-Pakistan IT team which is providing updated and full coverage of all stakeholder interactions. As a result more farmers, policy makers, students and a broad range of people got awareness of the climatic hazards to which Pakistan is highly vulnerable. This awareness campaign is now being heard properly in the Ministries of climate change, National Food security and will be well considered in making decisions for agriculture in Pakistan due to these Decision Support System (DSS) studies which have been done at broad scale from farm level to ministerial policy meetings and ultimately the food consumers data. The first phase of AgMIP-Pakistan outreach activities has been strengthened and upgraded to make stakeholder unit (SU) in Phase-2 which will foster collaboration with all the stakeholders from their feedback to delivery of strategic recommendations for adaptation as well as to reduce the vulnerability of farm and livestock systems in future changing climate scenarios.