Stakeholder Workshop for Hydro-Agro-Informatics (HAI) Program Development Held at USPCAS-W

A Stakeholder Consultation Workshop was successfully conducted at the U.S.- Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), to shape the design framework for the Hydro-Agro-Informatics (HAI) Program under the Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) project.

The workshop aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, identifying challenges, gaps, and strategic solutions for developing a robust HAI program. The HAI initiative is poised to revolutionize water and agricultural management in Sindh through advanced technologies such as remote sensing, ground-based monitoring, and integrated databases.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀:
Prof. Dr Kamran Ansari, Director of USPCAS-W and Team Leader of the HAI Program, welcomed the participants and provided a comprehensive presentation on the HAI Program’s design phase. He highlighted the program’s goals, HAI Services, including improved water allocation, agricultural productivity, and resilience against climate-induced risks.

Mr. Motlab Hossain Sarker, Deputy Executive Director of CEGIS Bangladesh, emphasized the importance of consultative workshops to integrate diverse perspectives and address institutional and technological barriers. He also underscored the gaps in current systems and the critical need for collaborative approaches.

Mr. Munir Ahmed Jumani, Director General of Agriculture Extension, discussed the role of agriculture in Sindh’s economy and how innovative, data-driven approaches could enhance productivity and build resilience against climate change.
Mr. Fareed Ahmed Memon, Chief Engineer, Irrigation Department, Government of Sindh, stressed the necessity of efficient water resource management and greater interdepartmental collaboration to address pressing challenges.

𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:
Participants were divided into three groups to engage in focused discussions on Water Flows and Irrigation, Agriculture and Water Productivity and Flood and Drought Management. Each group presented their findings and recommendations, focusing on existing gaps, required information, and actionable strategies for improving resource management.
The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion and insightful closing remarks by Prof Dr Bakhshal Lashari, USPCAS-W, who summarized the key takeaways and emphasized the need for continued stakeholder collaboration. Dr. Lashari reaffirmed the importance of aligning efforts to achieve the HAI Program’s objectives.

The SIDA, ID, Agriculture Department, PARC, Government of Sindh academia and other institutions participated in the workshop. This consultative workshop marked a significant step toward developing the HAI Program’s framework, ensuring it aligns with stakeholder requirements while addressing local challenges. The event concluded with a networking session, allowing participants to build connections and discuss potential solutions.