Latest news with #ClimateSmartAgriculture
Zawya
30-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Qatar enhances climate resilience through proactive measures
Doha: Qatar is advancing bold and coordinated actions to address the global climate change through comprehensive collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, and civil society. These efforts reflect the nation's strong commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Environmental Specialist at the Climate Change Department of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) Sultana Abdullah Al-Wajhan, highlighted Qatar's proactive approach during a recent appearance on Qatar TV. She emphasised the high level of inter-sectoral cooperation, noting that government entities have taken a leading role in shaping and implementing the National Adaptation Plan. 'Government sectors have demonstrated outstanding leadership in coordinating climate adaptation projects,' she said. 'As someone directly involved in these efforts, I can attest to the exemplary level of coordination.' She also recognized the increasing role of the private sector in climate resilience. 'Private entities are stepping up, actively participating in climate-related initiatives. Their growing involvement reflects a shared sense of national responsibility for mitigation and adaptation,' Al-Wajhan added. She pointed to several national initiatives that showcase this collective commitment. The Ministry of Municipality has launched a Climate-Smart Agriculture program to strengthen food security under changing climate conditions. Similarly, the Ministry of Public Health and Hamad Medical Corporation are enhancing the health sector's resilience to climate risks. Other vital efforts include biodiversity protection led by the Environmental Systems Protection Department and the Department of Nature Reserves and Wildlife under MECC. Furthermore, the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) are promoting water reuse after treatment for irrigation of trees and landscaping and rationalization of electricity and water consumption through the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed). Addressing the importance of public engagement, Al-Wajhan stressed the need for collective environmental awareness. 'Community-wide awareness and participation are essential. When society works together, it fosters innovation and supports sustainable solutions, helping to build a more resilient future,' she said. Al-Wajhan also discussed the recent national workshop titled 'The Future of Climate Change in Qatar', which focused on advancing the National Adaptation Plan. The plan, under development by the Ministry for the past two years, aims to establish a unified strategy for climate resilience. 'The workshop's main objective was to define adaptation measures across priority sectors: water, public health, biodiversity, infrastructure and coastal resilience, agriculture and livestock, and energy and industry,' she explained. Stakeholders from each sector collaborated to classify and prioritize these measures, aligning them with Qatar National Vision 2030 and broader sustainable development goals. 'This workshop is not an isolated event; it is part of a broader, ongoing process to develop a comprehensive and inclusive national adaptation framework,' she said. As Qatar continues to assert its leadership in global climate action, these joint efforts highlight the power of national unity in confronting environmental challenges. Through such strategic initiatives, Qatar is laying the foundation for a sustainable, climate-resilient future. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) is committed to developing the National Adaptation Plan using a scientific and methodical approach that assesses climate vulnerabilities and their potential impacts. This process is carefully aligned with the country's priorities and national strategies for sustainable development. The workshop marked a significant milestone in advancing the proposed adaptation measures, which were formulated with input from government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions, and international partners. It served as a platform to review these measures, evaluate their readiness for implementation, and identify the necessary requirements to ensure their effectiveness and integration across all relevant sectors. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Coin Geek
27-05-2025
- Business
- Coin Geek
Gates Foundation strikes deal with Odisha for agri solutions
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... In a significant step toward transforming agriculture, the Gates Foundation, co-created by Bill Gates, has entered into a strategic partnership with the provincial government of Odisha in eastern India. The agreement reportedly formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), focuses on fostering growth in sectors such as artificial intelligence-based agricultural solutions, precision farming techniques, sustainable practices for climate resilience, and boosting the productivity of dairy and fisheries. The newly inked MoU outlines a long-term collaboration that aims to provide technical expertise, support cutting-edge research, and implement innovative solutions directly in the field. The initiative is led by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment (DAFE) and the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department (FARDD). Together, they aim to scale science-led, practical interventions that advance the principles of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) across Odisha. This collaboration between the Gates Foundation, DAFE, and FARDD is expected to bolster Odisha's digital agriculture infrastructure. Among the key priorities are expanding digital services for farmers, strengthening market and export linkages, promoting crop diversification, and encouraging the adoption of agri-tech innovations. The initiative also aims to advance inclusive livestock development, focusing on gender equity and climate resilience. Together, these efforts are expected to create a more adaptive, technologically enabled, and farmer-centric agricultural landscape in Odisha. Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo described the MoU as a crucial step toward equipping Odisha's agricultural sector for the challenges of the future. He emphasized the state government's ongoing commitment to leveraging innovation, global expertise, and collaborative models to ensure tangible benefits for farmers across Odisha. 'This is not the first time that this MoU has been signed with the Gates Foundation. This is the third time…This is mainly being done to improve the livelihood of the farming and fisheries sectors. Both these sectors have benefited from the Gates Foundation,' he said. Alkesh Wadhwani, Director of Poverty Alleviation at the Gates Foundation, reportedly expressed enthusiasm about deepening ties with the state, particularly in agriculture and allied sectors. He noted that the partnership strengthens a shared vision for a more resilient and inclusive agricultural framework. According to him, this new alliance can potentially harness innovation at scale, positioning Odisha as a leader in sustainable agri-development. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of DAFE, described the agreement as a convergence point for scientific knowledge, forward-thinking policy, and strategic partnerships. He underscored the role of digital platforms in translating global best practices into localized agricultural solutions. Suresh Kumar Vashishth, Principal Secretary of FARDD, noted that the partnership is expected to significantly enhance the livestock and fisheries sectors by incorporating data analytics and scientific tools into policy refinement and service delivery. Coinciding with the MoU signing, the Government of Odisha and the Gates Foundation jointly launched the Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance Odisha. This multi-stakeholder initiative brings together government departments, research bodies, startups, non-governmental organizations, farmer collectives, and private enterprises. The alliance seeks to fast-track the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural technologies and methodologies through a coordinated and collaborative approach. The Gates Foundation has been working closely with both national and state-level governments in India, along with a range of partners, to address critical challenges such as healthcare, sanitation, gender equity, agricultural advancement, and financial inclusion for marginalized communities. The Foundation's efforts focus on developing and scaling innovative solutions that improve the reach and effectiveness of essential services, particularly in key Indian provinces like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In addition, the Foundation supports targeted initiatives in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra, with programs aimed at improving sanitation, promoting sustainable agriculture, advancing gender equality, and expanding access to digital financial tools. In March, Bill Gates, best known for co-founding the software company Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), said that during his visit to Odisha last year, he observed farmers utilizing AI-driven tools to forecast weather, select crops, and minimize disease threats. 'I'm looking forward to seeing how much better those tools have gotten in the short time since,' Gates said. Simultaneously, in March, the Gates Foundation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the provincial government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) in southern India to advance the use of technology in various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and education. Watch | From farm to plate: Blockchain revolutionizes livestock industry title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
Business Recorder
22-04-2025
- Science
- Business Recorder
Course begins on developing CSA using nuclear, isotopic techniques
ISLAMABAD: Aimed at combating the effects of climate change on agriculture by adopting Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, a 10-day-long course on developing CSA using nuclear and isotopic techniques in Pakistan commenced on Monday at the National Agriculture Research Council (NARC). The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in collaboration with the Pakistan government, is organising this course through the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). The Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad being the premier agriculture research institute of the PAEC is the organiser of the training course. Speaking at the inaugural session, PAEC Chairman Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar emphasised the urgency of adopting sustainable agricultural techniques to tackle climate challenges. 'Two subjects are very close to my heart: nuclear medicine and agriculture,' he stated. 'Climate change is taking a heavy toll on our crops and their yields. If we do not shift from conventional farming methods and adopt modern technologies like drip irrigation, research shows that Pakistan could see a 50 per cent decline in crop yields by 2050.' Dr Anwar also pointed to recent extreme weather events, including a destructive hailstorm in the capital, as indicators of a changing climate. He stressed the importance of tree plantation to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate rising temperatures. Dr Mohammad Zaman, Section Head of the Soil, Water Management and Crop Nutrition Programme at the IAEA in Vienna, also addressed the gathering. He warned that, due to climate change, countries around the world would need to increase food production by 80 percent to 100 percent to meet future demands. He commended Pakistan's success in combating salinity, noting it as a key reason for choosing the country to host the course. He said that the world is facing unprecedented challenges including water scarcity, soaring temperatures, and contamination by microplastics — which studies now show have made their way into human DNA. This training programme is designed to tackle these issues through modern scientific approaches and knowledge-sharing among international experts, he said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
