There is a great need of building new dams to improve ground water availability and to recycle the polluted water to make useful for irrigation, said Dr Sarfraz K Qureshi, Former Director, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).
He was speaking at a PIDE seminar on "Overcoming water scarcity in Pakistan." PIDE organises such seminar on every weekly on different economic issues.
Qureshi said that the water shortage is of great concern in the new millennium and should be carefully addressed. Proper pricing and gradual removal of subsidy from water is also required, he added.
He said that in developing countries 90 percent of water is used for irrigation. We have to address the demand and supply concerns, simultaneously through the price and income elasticity.
According to him, technology is not the only remedy rather we must strengthen the institutions like irrigation, sanitation, and environment and arrange different forums for open debate. In addition we must start an awareness campaign to save water.
Nadeemul Haque, Director PIDE, in his opening remarks underlined the importance of discussion on this critical issue at all forums.
While participating in the discussion, Dr Zafar Altaf, Former Secretary, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, emphasised efficient and equitable use of water in agriculture. Water is mostly taken to power blocks, he added.
Altaf stressed that there should a check and balance system in the distribution of water among different users. Polluted water can be utilised in saline areas and or recycled and reused.
He pointed out that productivity in agriculture could be increased by 40 percent by making the required of water available. Supply of water more or less is fixed, we also increase the productivity by improving the quality of water. Scarcity of water is less harmful to the crops than the abundance as it affects productivity in agriculture. Appropriate usage of water is required to attain and maintain the devised level of productivity.
Professor Hiroshima also participated in the panel discussion and stressed on the importance of water sources. He also emphasised the role of education in enhancing agriculture productivity, accommodating labour force, and reducing poverty.
He said that serious research efforts should be made in this regard and provincial governments should be involved to achieve the desired goals.
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