Chairman Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf has demanded of the government to initiate the dripping and sprinkling irrigation system simultaneously in all the four provinces in the larger benefit of agriculture community and agro-based industry. In a press statement here on Thursday, Zaka welcomed the recent statement of Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture regarding adopting sprinkling and drip irrigation system in the country and termed it "a right step in the right direction". "This is a step which has been recommended by PSMA since last so many years.
He further said that the sprinkling and dripping irrigation system is a great blessing for the agriculture and agro-based industries in the country. However, he expressed surprise over the government's intention to initiate the sprinkling and dripping irrigation system only in Balochistan.
He said an Australian company has already established Water Conservation System in Apple Orchards, where it is working very successfully.
He said recent heavy rains have postponed the water shortage phenomenon temporarily, which may occur again next year. He said that water is an integral part of country's agriculture, which constitute major chunk of total GDP, therefore, the government should not delay the idea of implementing sprinkling and dripping irrigation system.