FAO organized the International Workshop on Conservation Agriculture held at Lahore, Pakistan from 6 to 9 February, 2001 in collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), the International Water Management Intstitute (IWMI) Pakistan and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Government of Pakistan; Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC); Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR)and the Directorate General Agriculture (Water Management).

The workshop provided an impressive opportunity to exchange and review experiences with conservation agriculture practices in the region. The term “conservation agriculture” has been widely accepted. Very interesting and encouraging experiences were described, where conservation agriculture practices were adopted through participatory mechanisms. The importance of the farmers’ role and that of the private sector was widely recognized.

The participation of Mr. Muhammad Rafiq Tarar, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, provides an ample evidence of the firm commitment of Pakistan Government, for conservation agriculture. The same commitments was expresed by the representatives of the 11 participating countries: Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sudan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.