The Freshwater & Toxics Programme, WWF – Lahore arranged a meeting with Ambassador and Head of Delegation of The European Commission (EC) to Pakistan - HE Jan De Kok at EC office Islamabad on 15th December 2008. The Water Thirsty Crops Project (EC- TCP) funded by EC is a four year project, started in January 2006 in Bahawalpur and Faisalabad Districts of Punjab. The project aims to promote Better Management Practices (BMPs) on cotton and sugarcane crops that improve environmental quality and enhance the livelihoods of the farmers.

In his message, HE Jan De Kok commended the training of farmers through Farmers Field Schools (FFS) and building the capacity of farmer organizations through Training of Trainers (ToT) as a prosperous step towards creating the field trained human resources in agriculture sector which could contribute in sustainable development.

Speaking of the global environmental challenges, HE Jan De Kok highlighted the fact tha agriculture and water has become an intertwined issue. Lack of sustainable practices such as excessive use of water, irrational use of pesticides, health impact on the farming communities are a few to mention. Action would result in reducing the adverse impacts of these crucial crops on the environment, provide better living and working conditions and thereby contributing in their own way to poverty alleviation. Moreover, to create mass awareness, the effective use of Print and Electronic media is just a step ahead in this direction.

He further added that the Delegation of the EC to Pakistan is charged with overseeing and helping to implement co-operation activities at large between Pakistan and Europe. The Ambassador thanked WWF – P for its commitment and support towards a common cause.

HE Jan De Kok said, “We hope that some of these programmes and activities can be replicated elsewhere in the country so that at the end, the water resource is going to be a sustainable resource. Pakistan also wants to increase its overall agriculture production with limited water resources becoming available over the years globally and also in this part of the world; therefore, it is necessary to make more effective and efficient use of these resources. We hope that the farmers who are benefiting from these programmes will share the learnt knowledge and information with other farmers so that eventually replication-effect is going to be visible and in-effect in Pakistan”. Mr. Imran Ashraf, Development Advisor (EC) and Ms, Mahira Afzal (WWF – P) were also present on the occasion.

Mahira Afzal
Coordinator Communications & Awareness
WWF - Pakistan
Email: mafzal@wwf.org.pk
Tel: +92 042-111-993-725