Launch Workshop of Hydro-Agro Informatics Program Held Under Sindh Water & Agriculture Transformation Project

A significant milestone was achieved as the launch workshop of the Hydro-Agro Informatics (HAI) program took place in Karachi under the Sindh Water & Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) project.

Mr Nazir Ahmed Memon, Project Coordinator, PCMU, SWAT, P&D Department GoS, highlighted the importance of the HAI program in supporting Sindh’s water and agriculture sector.

The program aims to improve water management and is a collaborative effort between renowned institutions such as USPCAS-W, Mehran UET and CEGIS Bangladesh. He discussed the program’s design phase and outlined the future operation of the HAI centre and operational centre.

Mr. Zarif Iqbal Khero, Secretary of the Irrigation Department, GoS, emphasized the significance of IT-based solutions like HAI in addressing water resource planning and extreme events like floods. He stressed the need for administrative resources and highlighted the importance of adapting to changing climate and precipitation patterns.

Mr. Rafique Ahmed Buriro, Secretary of the Agriculture Department, GoS, raised concerns about food security and converting agricultural lands into commercial buildings. He stressed the need for a decision support system and meaningful data translation to policy. We need to raise the level of our engagement said Mr Buriro.

Mr. Greg Browder, Lead Water Resources Management Specialist World Bank, provided an overview of the HAI program and its integration into SWAT. He aimed to revolutionize data-driven decision-making and outlined the program’s components and budget.

Prof. Dr. Kamran Jan Ansari, Director of USPCAS-W, elaborated on the objectives and work plans of the HAI program. He emphasized its role in filling information gaps through new monitoring tools for water and agriculture. He discussed the design phases of the program and the methodology to achieve innovative solutions. Meanwhile, Md Motaleb Hossain Sarker, Senior Director, Water Resources Management Division, Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) Bangladesh, introduced CEGIS and its multidisciplinary team and operational divisions. He emphasized CEGIS’s service arena, international network, tools, and techniques, including database portals and decision support systems.

The launch workshop served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss the significance of the HAI program in addressing water and agriculture challenges in Sindh. The program aims to pave the way for a brighter water and agriculture management future through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions.

The officials from the Irrigation Department, GoS, Agriculture Supply and Prices Department, SIDA, ADU GoS, FAO and other stakeholders were present. The workshop ended with an interactive Q&A session and a way forward.