|
Drip; sprinkler irrigation
system to be introduced
ISLAMABAD - The government's agriculture strategy attaches
high priority to solution of water shortage and introducing
drip and sprinkler irrigation system in the country.
According to Official sources the strategy is aimed to boost
agricultural production by extending more facilities to
farmers and encouraging them to step up their efforts to
achieve self-sufficiency in agriculture sector.
The production of cotton, wheat, tea would be increased and
area under cultivation of rice and sugarcane is being
substituted by appropriate crops such as cotton, sugar beet
and pulses in view of water shortages.
In the Oilseed sector major emphasis is laid on promotion of
olive oil cultivation and assistance from USA, China and Saudi
Arabia will be sought for building water reservoirs.
A number of small reservoirs, some major dams including Gomal
Dam, Kachi and Mirani are being constructed for storage of
irrigation water for the crops.
Besides, Hand pumps, Jack pumps, tube wells are being
installed at different places to meet the requirements of
drinking water for human being and livestock.
The efficient water conservation technology is to be
encouraged and provinces are likely to take lead in adopting
water saving techniques viz. land levelling, brick lining,
watercourse improvement.
An amount of Rs 1 billion has been allocated for installation
of 10,000 tube wells to overcome shortage of irrigation water
in four provinces of the country. The construction work is
under progress for installation of 5000 tube wells in Sindh,
3000 in Punjab, 1000 each in NWFP and Balochistan to sustain
agriculture development in the country.
Besides water resource development, the government is carrying
out an affective strategy to combat the situation in Barani
areas through construction of mini dams and ponds. The
judicious use of water and introduction of seed varieties
tolerant to drought has been introduced to overcome drought
effects.
The overall decline in growth of major crops is estimated at
10.5 percent during the year 2000-01, as against actual
achievement of 15.0 percent last year. Four major crops:
cotton, wheat, sugarcane, and rice witnessed decline in
production by 4.5 percent, 12.1 percent, 59 percent and 6.8
percent, respectively.
Minor crops are estimated to have grown by 1.4 percent in
2000-01, as against a negative growth of 9.1 percent last
year. The Livestock sub-sector has grown by 4.6 percent
against the target of 2.6 percent and achievement of 2.4
percent in 1999-2000.
Keeping in view gravity of the situation the farmers have been
advised to use new and latest technologies in agricultural
sector, particularly for improvement of watercourses. Water
conservation techniques are being introduced to increase
cultivation area of all crops including cotton.
The government took certain effective measures for the help of
growers in most affected areas to save them heavy losses. The
interest on loans advanced to the farmers were waived and the
recovery of the principal amount was deferred at least for one
year.
They were given interest-free or highly subsidised loans for
purchase of fertiliser for the coming Kharif and Seeds were
supplied on deferred payment basis.-APP
courtesy Daily
Business Recorder ,
23
April, 2002
|
Pakissan.com;
|
