HYDERABAD: A delegation of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) met Sindh Minister for Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro here on Saturday to focus on the use of modern technology in the agricultural sector, effective water management and mutual cooperation

Sindh Irrigation Secretary Zarif Iqbal Khero was also present. The delegation included Land and Water Officer at Asia-Pacific Regional Office Waleed Hassan Abu Al-Hassan, Senior Water and Land Officer Dr Rubina Wahaj, along with other experts.

The FAO team also visited the irrigation department’s Hydro-Informatics Center and Kotri Barrage where they were given a detailed briefing on modern monitoring systems, technical infrastructure, database management and online monitoring procedure.

The discussion covered points of integration and usefulness of the irrigation department’s active monitoring systems with the FAO’s under-construction “Ekia Portal”. Jam Khan informed the delegation that purpose of the portal was to provide farmers across province with real-time information, to help them take better decisions, increase productivity and promote efficient use of water.

He emphasised that the portal would prove to be a significant step towards sustainable development of the Sindh’s agricultural sector, allowing farmers to make smart decisions based on scientific data.

Zarif Khero gave delegation a comprehensive briefing on advanced technology, data management, remote sensing, and online monitoring systems available at the Hydro-Informatics Center.

The FAO delegation praised technical initiatives and modern agricultural strategies of the Sindh government and assured full cooperation in future.

Mr Shoro said the Sindh government was fully committed and dedicated to the development of agriculture.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2025