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Pakistan

Understanding the prevailing policy scenario on the preservation of local agro-biodiversity in coastal Pakistan with special reference to millet cultivation

 

A multi-stakeholder webinar titled ‘Understanding the prevailing policy scenario on the preservation of local agro-biodiversity in coastal Pakistan with special reference to millet cultivation’ was organized on November 12, 2024. Supported by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) and organized by the South Asian Forum for Environment (SAFE) in association with the Progyan Foundation for Research and Innovation (PFRI), the webinar proved to be vital for identifying the existing policy-practice gaps relating to the preservation of local agro-biodiversity in coastal Pakistan with special reference to millet cultivation.
The event brought together leading academics, scientists, and development practitioners from Pakistan and India to discuss their experiences and expert opinions on the prevailing policy scenario on local agro-biodiversity preservation in coastal Pakistan with particular emphasis on millet cultivation.

 

Traditional millet cultivation has declined despite its suitability for saline soils, calling for revival of local varieties historically grown in the coastal districts of Thatta and Badin.

Insufficient training on salt-tolerant millet management was recognized as a barrier, and field demonstrations and technical guides were considered essential for coastal farmers.

A persistent shortage of certified millet seeds suited to saline coastal soils constrains adoption by smallholders.

Research institutions highlighted budgetary constraints under agricultural R&D policies, hindering the development of new coastal-tolerant millet varieties.

The need for government-supported value chain development, including storage and branding, to improve coastal millet marketability was highlighted.

Experts noted the absence of fast-track release procedures for crops of strategic importance in saline coastal zones.

The panelists suggested multi-stakeholder platforms, including academia, government, and farmers, to co-create coastal agro-biodiversity action plans aligned with national biodiversity strategies.

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