CLIMATE change is a serious threat, especially to the agriculture sector. While Pakistan is advised at all relevant forums of the required measures that must be taken to mitigate aftershocks ofclimate disasters, public sector relevant departments have done nothing except engage urban-based nongovernmental organisations that hold seminars in luxury hotels, thus remaining an eyewash. No serious attention is paid to crops.

Experts and scientists consistently state that crops, especially rice and livestock sectors, are major contributors to emissions of methane gases, which are more harmful than carbon dioxide. These factors must be tackled by converting livestock waste and manure into composite fertiliser and biogas generation, but such opportunities never get the attention of people who matter. The government should not only announce the support price of the four major crops but also ensure that the price is paid to farmers.

The government had expected 29 million tonnes of wheat production last year, but we harvested roughly 27m tonnes. In the current Rabi season, wheat production is estimated at 32m tonnes but I fear we won`t get it because hoarding and black marketing will create a shortage of urea that will affect yields. • -MHK