In a significant advancement for agricultural research and environmental monitoring, a flux tower has been installed at the experimental farm of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The installation was inaugurated by SAU Vice Chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri and FAO Country Head Florence Rolle during a joint ceremony.
The flux tower is equipped to measure essential environmental parameters such as gas emissions, energy, temperature, rainfall, and humidity, providing real-time data on interactions between the earth’s surface and the atmosphere. This data will be transmitted to the Data Center via the Aqua Portal, offering accurate and timely information crucial for agricultural planning and climate research.
During the inauguration, Dr. Fateh Marri stressed the significance of this installation, highlighting that until now, agricultural, irrigation, and weather data were often sourced externally. The flux tower will now provide reliable, precise information, benefiting farmers, extension workers, irrigation officers, researchers, students, and related institutions. Farmers will receive advanced alerts and customized advice on crop cultivation, risks, and protective measures.
Dr. Marri also underscored the need for establishing an authority as per the national water policy in Sindh to manage groundwater data, a role previously overseen by WAPDA before the 18th Amendment. He urged the implementation of allocating one percent of the development budget on water management as envisioned by the national water policy.
