Need To Use Geographic Information Systems To Deal Water Scarcity

The introduction of new technologies to our progressive and small farmers, such as water monitoring and weather forecasting via GIS and SRS.

Need To Use Geographic Information Systems To Deal Water Scarcity

The introduction of new technologies to our progressive and small farmers, such as water monitoring and weather forecasting via geographic information systems (GIS) and satellite remote sensing (SRS) , is beneficial in meeting the country’s water shortages, which are looming large due to climate change according to training speakers.

FAO, a United Nations organization for food and agriculture, held a four-day training on “Satellite Remote Sensing for Evaporation Estimation” for transforming the Indus Basin with climate-resilient agriculture and water management.

Experts from the Sindh Agriculture University Sub-Campus Umer kot, Agriculture Extension Sindh, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, SIDA, Water Management, Irrigation Department, and Farm Water Management Sindh took part in the training program, with technical assistance and laboratory facilities provided by the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering.

On behalf of FAO, Bart Coerver, Master Trainer from the Netherlands, and Mohammad Akasha, Water Management and Hydrology Specialist, served as focal persons.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Fateh Marri, Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University, stated that in the future, we may face more water shortage problems, so the technology of growing crops with less water should be known to common farmers, and the use of modern satellite technology is essential to prevent water waste.

Dr. Marri stated that we must persuade farmers that water should be used according to crop needs and that waste should be avoided.

He stated that we must begin now to introduce modern technologies to our progressive and small farmers, such as water monitoring and weather forecasting via satellite remote sensing (SRS) and geographic information systems (GIS), which will play a critical role in developing agriculture and protect future generations from the effects of water scarcity.

Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal, dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, also spoke on the occasion, and vice chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri later distributed certificates to the participants.