EU backs climate-resilient agriculture in Gilgit-Baltistan

The European Union has renewed its support for climate-resilient agricultural development in Gilgit-Baltistan, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis made the announcement at a high-level meeting held on September 23 in Gilgit during the launch ceremony of a proposed new Agriculture Policy.

The APP report said the ambassador reaffirmed the EU's backing for sustainable and climate-resilient farming, improved livelihoods, and stronger resilience among communities affected by climate change. The dispatch did not provide a full transcript of the ambassador's remarks or list other speakers at the event.

The proposed agriculture policy was presented as part of efforts to help farmers in the region adapt to changing conditions. Gilgit-Baltistan's agricultural economy relies heavily on smallholder cultivation, with irrigation fed by glacier melt and seasonal streams. Any disruption to water availability has direct consequences for food production and household income.

The EU's engagement in the region has included support for rural development and climate adaptation, though the APP report did not detail specific projects or funding linked to the new policy. The agency described the ceremony as "high-level," but no additional officials were named in the available excerpt.

Skardu Times could not independently verify further details of the meeting or the contents of the draft policy. The announcement comes as local authorities and development partners weigh measures to protect mountain agriculture from rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns.

The launch in Gilgit is the latest indication of continued European interest in Gilgit-Baltistan's development needs. Climate-resilient agriculture has gained attention in Pakistan's northern regions, where farmers face glacial lake outburst floods, landslides, and dry spells that can damage crops, orchards, and livestock.

While the APP bulletin stopped short of publishing the policy text, the EU ambassador's public commitment suggests the bloc intends to remain involved in the region's agricultural planning. The report did not say when the policy would be formally adopted or how it would be funded.

For readers in Gilgit-Baltistan, the announcement matters because the sector supports a large share of the region's workforce. Better water management, stronger seed systems, and climate-smart practices are among the measures that such a policy could promote. Skardu Times will report further details as they become available.