Climate Tech Introduced in Manshera to Aid Farmers

APP

Peshawar:The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has introduced advanced monitoring technology in Manshera district to promote climate-resilient farming and enhance tea production.

A state-of-the-art Eddy Covariance (EC) Flux Tower has been installed at the National Tea and High Value Crops Research Institute (NTHRI), Shinkiari, aimed at generating precise data on water consumption, soil health, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking to reporters during a field visit, IWMI Senior Research Officer Naqash Abbasi said the technology will support tea cultivation and other high-value crops such as olives and kiwi. “The EC Flux Tower provides real-time data on water and energy fluxes, essential for understanding how agricultural practices interact with the environment,” he explained.

The initiative is part of IWMI’s Water Resource Accountability Programme (WRAP), supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and CGIAR’s Nexus Gains Initiative.

According to IWMI Pakistan Advisor Engr. Naeem Khan, the EC Flux Tower technology is already operational in five districts of Punjab — Chakwal, Okara, Rahim Yar Khan, Faisalabad, and Charsadda. “Each tower monitors more than 70 variables, including water, carbon, and energy fluxes, equipping us with crucial data for sustainable agriculture,” he noted.

Engr. Kifayat Zaman, Team Lead for WRAP KP, highlighted that Pakistan is the only country in South Asia to use EC Flux Towers for continuous measurement of gas and energy exchange between land and atmosphere. He said the system enables researchers and policymakers to better track greenhouse gas emissions, manage water resources, and develop strategies for climate resilience.

In addition, IWMI has distributed 62 Chameleon Soil Moisture Sensors in Manshera and Charsadda to help farmers make data-driven decisions on irrigation, reducing water overuse and crop stress. A solar-powered drip irrigation system using harvested rainwater has also been installed at Hazara University, with a 6,000-gallon storage capacity to ensure efficient water use.

IWMI is further working on developing a Surface and Groundwater Management Information System to support the Water Services Regulatory Authority, alongside capacity-building efforts under the WRAP project.

Officials said these initiatives aim to strengthen Pakistan’s ability to adapt agriculture to climate change while boosting yields of tea and other crops.