Adapting to Salinity in the Southern Indus Basin (ASSIB): Final report

The ASSIB project aimed to develop and investigate adaptation options and strategies for people managing and living in salinity-affected agricultural landscapes in the southern Indus Basin, Pakistan. Through a co-inquiry process, based on Stakeholder Engagement for Research and Learning (SERL), the project engaged rural and coastal communities affected by salinity, empowering them to take a leading role in developing sustainable adaptation strategies. The project contributed to capacity building and knowledge sharing among farming communities, government departments, universities, and stakeholders. It also laid the groundwork for the widespread scaling-out of established salinity adaptation options and emphasised the importance of community involvement, particularly women and youth, in achieving long-term sustainability. Research into salinity trends and impacts, including surface water analysis, remote sensing and groundwater modelling, has strengthened long-term future planning and action at a range of scales. The final report provides insights into the project's methodologies, outcomes and recommendations for future research and policy development.