Climate Change Adaptation- Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
1. Testing Adaptation in Flood-Based Farming Systems
SPO successfully implemented ‘Testing Adaptation in Flood-Based Farming Systems’ project with the financial support of IFAD, and MetaMeta Research, Netherlands. The project started in April 2015 and concluded in March 2019, covering select districts of Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa.
The overall goal of the project was to support flood-based farming systems in order to prevent food insecurity in the flood prone areas and build resilience of the respective communities. SPO capacitated farmers, and sensitized young women and men working at local institutions in water resource management. SPO helped them to develop Flood-Based Farming Systems policies and programs which provided strategies that are inclusive and gender-balanced in approach to climate change in Pakistan.
SPO under its ‘Climate Change Adaptation’ programme trained farmers in the cultivation of new corps, irrigation techniques and water resource management. The trainings were held at local universities and the respective Provincial Agriculture Departments. This project helped communities to identify water related issues and inspired graduate students to research and conduct detailed studies on the benefits of flood-based farming in their regions. SPO continues to strengthen its communities to ensure preparedness against new environmental challenges.
2. Spate Irrigation for Rural Growth & Poverty Alleviation
SPO successfully implemented ‘Spate Irrigation for Rural Growth & Poverty Alleviation’ with the financial support of UNESCO-IHE Delft. The project started in July 2012 and concluded in December 2014, covering selected districts of all provinces of Pakistan.
The overall goal of the project was to strengthen farmers network in Pakistan and prepare policy guidelines by implementing innovative and scalable action research solutions. Through this project, SPO initiated a process of incorporating spate irrigation in curricula of universities and agricultural colleges. The intervention highlighted the spate irrigation problems, practices and build base for knowledge dissemination. Under this project some key achievements were attained such as documentation and digitalizing of the water rights records, development of knowledge & its dissemination, capacity building of local NGOs and innovative research based solutions and program development for new investments.
Four regional network of farmers and practitioner were established in districts Kachi & Sibi in Balochistan, district Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts Dadu & Jamshoro in Sindh, also districts Rajanpur and DG Khan in Punjab.
SPO obtained and digitally compiled the Water Rights Record from DI Khan, DG Khan, Rajanpur, and Sibi. Developed a descriptive and video report on conditions of drinking water in Tharparkar district and prepared a concept paper. Around 1000 informative flyers, brochures and charts were prepared and distributed among farmers, practitioner, relevant government department, and higher educational institutions. SPO enhanced capacity of 50 professionals on regional spate issues and proposal writing.