Dr. Asad Sarwar, Senior Scientist, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Pakistan
🌿 Dr. Asad Sarwar, a Senior Scientist at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture in Pakistan, is a renowned figure in Environmental Science. 🌍 His groundbreaking research focuses on sustainable agriculture in saline environments, aiming to improve food security. 🧪 Dr. Sarwar’s dedication and innovative approaches have earned him the prestigious Best Researcher Award. 🏆 His work not only advances scientific understanding but also has a significant impact on communities reliant on saline agriculture. 🌾 With numerous publications and collaborative projects, Dr. Sarwar continues to inspire and lead in his field, paving the way for a greener future. 🌱✨
Profile 📝
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Education 🎓
🌟 Dr. Asad Sarwar has a distinguished academic journey in Water Resources Management and Agricultural Engineering. He earned his Ph.D. in Water Resources Management in 2000 from Wageningen University, The Netherlands. Before that, he completed his M.Sc. in Soil and Water Engineering with Distinction in 1993 from the same university 🌍. His academic foundation was laid at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, where he obtained his B.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering in 1987 📚. Dr. Sarwar’s extensive education and expertise make him a renowned figure in his field, contributing significantly to water resource management and engineering 🌱.
Areas of Specialization 🔍
🌱 Dr. Asad Sarwar excels in soil-crop-water modeling, focusing on farm-scale irrigation management. His expertise extends to irrigation and water conservation through innovative techniques like zero tillage, furrow-bed, drip, and sprinkler systems. 💧 Dr. Sarwar is a pioneer in salinity management, utilizing both modeling and field-scale trials. His work in land reclamation and drainage design is exemplary, employing advanced modeling techniques and performance evaluations. 🌾 Additionally, he addresses groundwater management from technical, institutional, and governance perspectives, ensuring sustainable practices. 🌍 Dr. Sarwar’s contributions significantly enhance agricultural efficiency and environmental sustainability. 🌿
Awards and Honors 🏆
🎓 Dr. Asad Sarwar achieved remarkable academic and professional milestones. He secured an MSc Scholarship from the Netherlands Government through open international competition and graduated with “DISTINCTION” from Wageningen University. 🏆 Dr. Sarwar also earned a Ph.D. Scholarship from Wageningen University through another open international competition. 🌟 He served as a member of the student advisory and educational committee at Wageningen University from 1991-93. 🌍 Dr. Sarwar received both 5-year and 10-year service excellence awards from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in recognition of his dedicated service. 🌟🏅
Professional Membership and Affiliations 👥
🌟 Dr. Asad Sarwar has held various prestigious roles, showcasing his expertise in water management and agricultural engineering. From 2010-12, he contributed to the ACIAR Iraq Salinity Project, and in 2011, he was part of a Dutch project revitalizing irrigation in Pakistan 🌿. He played a key role in curriculum review at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (2009-10) 📚, and organized the 8th Asia Region ICID Conference in Tehran (2006-07) 🏛️. His involvement extends to drought management in Iran (2004-06), the IWMI-IRAN Consultative Committee (2004-07), and several advisory roles in Pakistan 🌍. His efforts have significantly impacted water and food programs globally 🌐.
Professional Experience/Positions Held 💼
Dr. Asad Sarwar is a Principal Scientist at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai, UAE 🌍. He focuses on enhancing agricultural water productivity in salt-affected soils by using marginal waters 🚜💧. He leads numerous projects funded by organizations such as GIZ, ACIAR, IsDB, and IFAD, targeting regions in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia 🌱. His work involves improving irrigation practices, managing degraded lands, and developing salinity management strategies 🌿🌾. With extensive experience in water management, he has significantly contributed to sustainable agriculture and food security globally 🌟🌍.
Assignments and Projects 📋
Dr. Asad Sarwar has led numerous impactful projects since 1989. Currently, he heads projects on small-scale irrigation in Africa, sustainable agriculture in Uzbekistan, and salinity management in Pakistan and Ethiopia. He previously led initiatives funded by USAID, World Bank, and other global organizations in Bangladesh, Iran, Central Asia, and more. His work focuses on irrigation, water conservation, and soil management, employing advanced techniques like drip systems and zero tillage. With a Ph.D. from Wageningen University, he has significantly contributed to sustainable water management and agricultural productivity worldwide 🌱💧🌍📊.
Publications Top Notes 📚
Sustaining Asia’s groundwater boom: an overview of issues and evidence
Challenges and prospects of sustainable groundwater management in the Indus Basin, Pakistan
Managing salinity and waterlogging in the Indus Basin of Pakistan
Water management in the Indus Basin in Pakistan: challenges and opportunities
Mulching and water quality effects on soil salinity and sodicity dynamics and cotton productivity in Central Asia
Critical knowledge gaps and research priorities in global soil salinity
Evaluating heavy metal accumulation and potential health risks in vegetables irrigated with treated wastewater
Extent and characterisation of salt‐affected soils in Iran and strategies for their amelioration and management
The groundwater economy of Pakistan
Salt‐induced land and water degradation in the Aral Sea basin: A challenge to sustainable agriculture in Central Asia