Khairpur – A Three-Day Conference on “Climate Change, Water Scarcity and Future of Agriculture in
Current Scenario: Suggesting the Way Forward for Sustainable Agriculture Growth” organized
by the Department of Geography, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur in collaboration with
Sindh Higher Education Commission, National Bank of Pakistan and Office of the Research,
Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC) starts today. Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Vice
Chancellor, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur presided over the inaugural session while
Prof. Dr. Amanat Ali Jalbani, Vice Chancellor Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed
Benazirabad was the chief guest. Prof. Dr. Zahid Hussain Khand, Vice Chancellor, Aror
University of Art, Architecture, Design and Heritage, Sukkur and Dr. Safdar Ali Sheerazi,
Professor Department of Geography, University of Punjab Lahore were the guests of the honor.
Prof. Dr. Ashfaque Ahmed from Karabuk University of Türkiye was the keynote speaker.
Talking to the participants, Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto said that climate change is a global
phenomenon which has adversely affected the world community. It is the process of changes in
the frequency and intensity of precipitation, heat waves and other extreme occurrences which
impact on agriculture yield. It creates in price hike for many important agriculture crops,
commodities and varieties. Dr. Ibupoto said that mitigation strategies can be promoted include
adopting renewable energy resources, wind and small hydro projects, sustainable transport such
as electric vehicles encouraging bio fuels and promoting more sustainable use of land for food
security. Dr. Ibupoto also accorded his cordial thanks to all the national, international guests and
Vice Chancellors of participating Universities. He also appreciated the organizing committee of
the conference especially the unwavering efforts of Dr. Noor Hussain Chandio, Chairman
Department of Geography.
Prof. Dr. Amanat Ali Jalbani said that Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur is moving ahead
excellently under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto. He said that the
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recommendations of the conference are vital for policy makers. He said we have to set our
priorities in order to combat the adverse impact of the climate change. Dr. Jalbani said our
country is basically agrarian country where more than 70% of income is being generated from
agriculture products but we are dependent on import of food items. It is need of the time to prefer
to develop a policy for the best practices for agriculture products.
Prof. Dr. Zahid Hussain Khand said that we witnessed two catastrophes one COVID-19 and
second heavy flood 2022. In the advent of heavy flood, houses, crops were damaged, people
died. It is the need of the hour that sustainable measures could be taken to avert future
catastrophes. We have to adopt change of behavior and reduce the Carbon Dioxide and use the
Solar system at large to save the energy wherein sustainable infrastructure may be developed.
Dr. Safdar Ali Sheerazi said that climate change is a reality. Pakistan is top ten countries among
the world facing the immense challenges of climate change. It is high time to aware the masses
to combat climate variability. He said Sindh province has suffered adversely. We must
concentrate to reduce vehicular emission; the steps may be taken for forestation and use of green
energy.
Prof. Dr. Ashfaque Ahmed delivered his keynote speech on “A Meta Analysis of Linkages
between Climate Change and Tourism Development: Evidence from Türkiye”. He said that
owing to climate changes and challenges, every segment of the society has been affected badly.
Industrialized countries are responsible for producing carbon dioxide so there is disaster in
agriculture, rising temperature, all economic activities affected. He said mitigation may be
initiated by adopting long term climate change policies. There are negative impacts of climate
change. He said climate change has disrupted tourism in Türkiye as result wild fire irregular rain
fall, prolonged droughts etc were occurred. He said that there is also some positive side of the
climate change i.e. barren and arid land is being fertilized. The beach tourism in Türkiye has
extended. He suggested that sustainable development tourism policy be adopted, climate resilient
infrastructure may be developed and friendly eco-transportation pattern may be initiated.
Prof. Dr. Qasid Hussain Mallah, Dean Faculty of Physical Sciences said that this conference is
source of academic interaction with academia. He said earlier was Moen-Jo-Daro survived
owing to resilient infrastructure. Human Being is responsible against the nature as result we have
witnessed different types of catastrophes around the world.
Dr. Noor Hussain Chandio this is the 4 th consecutive international conference on most crucial
theme which the world is confronting. He said Pakistan is contributing zero point line Carbon
Dioxide. It is the need of the hour to plant the trees. Approximately 20% of land may be
allocated for forestation. He briefed the academic and research contribution of the Department of
Geography. He also accorded his special thanks to the participants and guests in the conference.
Prof. Dr. Naveed Ahmed Shaikh, Director Postgraduate Studies conducted the proceedings of
the conference. A large number of Faculty Members, Researchers, Students and Media Persons
attended the inaugural session.
