ISLAMABAD: With Pakistan’s agriculture sector under strain from climate change, dwindling water resources, and rising energy demand, the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) is turning to hydroponics and aquaponics as sustainable farming solutions.
At a national dialogue titled “Powering Hydroponics Sustainability: Energy-Efficient Solutions, Climate Resilience, and Urban Agriculture,” experts, innovators, and policymakers gathered to discuss how advanced farming can strengthen climate resilience and conservation efforts. Participants included Dr. Arshad Nawaz Chaudhry (Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi), Fatima Rizwan (NDRMF), and entrepreneur Zarak Khan, among others.
“Hydroponics saves water, saves energy, and shields farmers from climate shocks,” said Sardar Mohazzam, MD NEECA, stressing the urgency of adopting such methods amid declining per capita water availability. Hydroponics uses up to 90% less water than conventional farming while producing higher yields. The forum also examined aquaponics, which integrates hydroponics with fish farming in a closed-loop system, offering greater efficiency and new value chains, such as honey production on aquaponic farms.
NEECA reaffirmed its commitment to piloting these technologies in vulnerable districts, aiming to reduce agricultural energy intensity, enhance water-use efficiency, create green jobs, and support Pakistan’s climate resilience and food security.
