USPCAS-W (MUET) and Australian High Commissioner Discuss the Future of Agricultural and Water Research in Pakistan
USPCAS-W, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUET) had the privilege to be invited in a high-level meeting with the worthy Mr. Timothy Kane, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, to discuss the progress, outcomes, and future prospects of ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) supported collaborative research initiatives in Pakistan.
The meeting brought together Dr. Kamran Ansari, Prof. Dr. Bakhshal Lashari, Dr. Arjumand Zehra Zaidi, Dr. Tanveer Ahmed Gadhi, and Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal.
Dr. Kamran Ansari and Prof. Dr. Bakhshal Lashari highlighted the significant progress of ACIAR-funded projects led by USPCAS-W, particularly in salinity management and adaptation in the Southern Indus Basin, climate resilience, sustainable agricultural water management, and improving farmers’ livelihoods and socioeconomic conditions across Sindh and Pakistan.
Key discussions focused on the outcomes of flagship ACIAR initiatives, including Adapting to Salinity in the Southern Indus Basin (ASSIB), Living with Salinity in the Indus Basin, and ongoing work on salt-tolerant trees and shrubs for saline landscapes. These projects have contributed to practical adaptation strategies, improved water governance, strengthened climate resilience, and enhanced livelihood opportunities for vulnerable farming communities.
The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening long-term collaboration between USPCAS-W, Australian researchers, and ACIAR to advance impactful research and innovation in agriculture, water, and socioeconomic development for Pakistan.
