In order to evolve a joint strategy on water conservation and its proper utilisation in agriculture sector, four neighbouring countries of South Asia including India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh have launched South Asian Conservation Area Network (Sacan). "As all the member countries are basically agrarian ones while the natural resources of water are depleting fast vis-à-vis rapid growth of population, therefore, it is high time that a joint strategy should be evolved to save the exhausting water resources and their proper utilisation to get maximum output."
Sacan co-ordinator and Director General Agriculture (Water Management), Punjab, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Gill stated this while talking to this scribe here on Sunday. He said that Sacan has the official as well as non-official support ie donor agencies has also been rendering assistance for its various activities, also include research, visits, awareness campaigns and formulation of strategies.
He said that up to 40 percent irrigated water goes waste due to dilapidated watercourses and canals, therefore, President has took initiated and got allocated Rs 66 billion for paving 87,000 watercourses in the country. Out of them, 30,000 watercourses with a sum of Rs 28 billion would be undertook in the Punjab province, he added.
He lamented that the agriculture sector remained aloof from the latest techniques and technology, as the farming community could not utilise mechanisation and adoption of modern methods due to lack of knowledge. The Sacan would disseminate its information on internet and also publish pamphlets for the farmers, he said.
The Director General Agriculture (Water Management) however underlined the need of timely sowing of the crop and drilling of land for better yield.