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Rs. one billion for
installation of 10,000 tubewells
ISLAMABAD-Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Khair
Muhammad Junejo has said an amount of Rs. 1 billion would be
spent on installation of 10,000 tubewells, of which, 5000 in
Sindh, 3000 in Punjab, 1000 each in NWFP and Balochistan to
overcome drought like situation in the country.
Besides, Water resource development should be carried out in
Barani areas through construction of mini dams and ponds, he
added. While talking to APP here Monday the Minister said, the
Judicious use of water, introduction of seeds of varieties
tolerant to drought, in addition adoption of zero tillage may
also improve a lot to overcome drought affects. He said the
farmers are advised to use new and latest technologies in
agricultural sector particularly for improvement of water
courses.
Water conservation techniques are being introduced to
increase the cultivation area of all crops including cotton,
he added. Hand pumps, Jack pumps and tube-wells may be
installed at different places to meet the requirement of
drinking water for human beings and livestock, he added.
Junejo expressed the hope that the drought situation would
improve with the starting of winter rains.
He said the provincial governments have recommended some
immediate measures to be taken for redressal of the problem in
Barani Areas and these governments have been asked to adopt
water management measures to draw maximumn benefit out of
available water. He said the interest free or highly
subsidized loans may be given for installation of tubewells.
The farmers would have to share total cost of the tubewells.
December 9, 2001
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