FAO's WaPOR training highlights in Islamabad, Pakistan

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a three-day technical training on the use of WaPOR data and portal for land and water use assessments, introducing participants from various stakeholder organizations and universities to WaPOR data and its applications using QGIS. The workshop was conducted from 23 to 25 September 2024 in Islamabad, Pakistan, and was led by Associate Professor Yasir Mohamed from the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education.

The first two days focused on technical and research staff, while the third day included policymakers. The training featured hands-on exercises and aimed to assess participants' needs and explore additional WaPOR applications in Pakistan.

Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan, emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving better results. She highlighted the role of the participants from various provinces as key users of WaPOR data in their daily work. Rolle noted that while there is much discussion around the digitalization of agriculture, it is not yet fully visible in the field. WaPOR provides a solution by introducing precision agriculture to Pakistan, aligning with FAO's efforts to support the country in its digitalization journey.

She stressed that FAO's global tools are most effective when adapted to local realities, urging participants to play a critical role in bringing global knowledge into national and provincial contexts. Rolle also mentioned the GCF Aqua Portal project, which integrates databases from irrigation and agriculture departments, facilitating knowledge-sharing and water use management. WaPOR will be one of the key tools available through this platform, enhancing the collaboration between various sectors.

A representative from the Netherlands Embassy in Pakistan highlighted the similarities between Pakistan and the Netherlands, particularly in their shared challenges with water management. She noted that both countries face increasing droughts and must innovate in water use to remain productive. The representative emphasized that the Netherlands sees great value in projects like WaPOR, which align with its commitment to improving water efficiency and quality, and sharing knowledge globally. She stressed the importance of this project for Pakistan, given the country's water issues and its reliance on agriculture. She also highlighted the potential for growth and learning in water productivity, the significance of engaging all stakeholders including academia and policymakers, and the opportunity to involve Pakistan's young population and women in agriculture through digital tools like WaPOR.