Rice sector exploring opportunities to conserve irrigation water

By LAHORE: Pakistan's rice sector is exploring opportunities to conserve irrigation water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and potentially access carbon markets through climate-smart farming practices, as hundreds of farmers, government officials, researchers and industry representatives participated in a stakeholder consultation on a proposed rice-sector carbon initiative in Gujranwala. Muhammad Ali, Commissioner, Gujranwala division, attended the consultation as chief guest, while Arif Goheer, Executive Director of the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, was the guest of honour. The initiative, supported by the Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPAR6C) programme, is proposed to be implemented by Galaxy Agrinomix and the Pakistan Basmati Heritage Foundation (PBHF). The project aims to register under Gold Standard and access carbon finance through Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, with support from the SPAR6C programme and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). The consultation focused on Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), a water-management technique that involves allowing rice fields to undergo controlled periods of drying between irrigations rather than maintaining continuous flooding throughout the growing season. The practice can potentially reduce water consumption and methane emissions, subject to local farming conditions and appropriate implementation. Technical presentations were delivered by Dr Imran Sheikh, National Coordinator, PBHF; Shazma Amin, Focal Person, PBHF; Dr Amjad Bashir, Technical Expert, PBHF; and Ahsan Kamran, Senior Consultant, SPAR6C Programme. The presentations covered the practical application of AWD and the requirements for developing a credible carbon project. Participants were informed how farmers can use perforated field tubes to monitor water levels and determine when irrigation is required, while emphasising the need to protect the crop during the flowering stage. The presentations cited potential water savings of around 30 percent and methane-emission reductions of up to 48 percent through AWD. The actual benefits, however, depend on soil, water and climatic conditions and need to be established through field-level measurement. Participants were also briefed on the process of developing carbon projects, including documentation of farming practices, monitoring, measurement, auditing and independent verification of emission reductions. The consultation highlighted that installing an AWD tube alone does not generate carbon credits; participating farms must follow documented practices and meet the applicable monitoring and verification requirements. The proposed initiative could provide rice growers with an opportunity to combine more efficient water management with potential benefits from verified carbon reductions. However, the realisation of these opportunities will depend on the project's implementation arrangements, verification requirements, market conditions and the terms governing farmers' participation. The consultation also underscored the importance of farmer training, suitable field conditions, reliable water control, effective drainage and continued technical assistance to ensure that AWD is adopted safely and effectively without compromising crop performance. The event brought together representatives of Punjab's agriculture and environmental departments, research institutions, universities, rice processors, fertiliser manufacturers, crop-protection companies and certification organisations. Participants included Dr Amir Rasool, Director General, Pest Warning and Quality Control, Punjab; Dr Ahsan Khan, Director, Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku; Shahid Tarer, Convener, PBHF; Dr Shakeel Ahmed, Divisional Director, Agriculture Extension; Muhammad Imran, Divisional Director, On-Farm Water Management; Talfoor ul Hassan, Divisional Director, Pest Warning and Quality Control; and Muhammad Imran, Deputy Director, Environment, Gujranwala. The University of the Punjab was represented by Dr Tehmina Anjum, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture; Dr Bilal Chattha, Head of Agronomy; and Dr Sajid Ali, Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. Online participants from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad included Dr Abdul Wakil, Professor of Soil Science; Dr Saddam Hussain, Dean and Vice Chairman, Confucius Institute; and Dr Fahad Rasool, Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy. Hundreds of rice farmers from Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura and adjoining rice-growing areas attended the consultation. SPAR6C is a five-year programme running from 2022 to 2027, supported by Germany's International Climate Initiative (IKI). It aims to strengthen carbon-market readiness in Colombia, Pakistan, Thailand and Zambia, with global implementation led by GGGI. UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC) serves as the package lead for Pakistan. The consultation provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the practical requirements of climate-smart rice cultivation and the development of a credible carbon-project framework. The initiative's effectiveness will depend on measurable environmental outcomes, transparent monitoring and verification, and arrangements that enable farmers to understand the requirements and potential benefits of participation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026