Participatory canal system will prove farmer-friendly and a milestone in increasing agri-produce. Institutional reforms introduced in canal system have curbed the red-tapisim and first time in the history of the country farmers' organisations have been made autonomous to operate canal system, said PIDA Consultant Dr Dil Muhammad in a training workshop of the members of Area Water Board LCC (East).
He said, "Our canal network is stronger than other countries like Turkey, Mexico, the Philippines, India and Japan. He said a platform had been provided to the farmer organisations for taking their own decisions by delegating those powers of XEN helping reduce their problems.
Revenue Consultant Chaudhry Muhammad Shafi while talking about the responsibilities of Area Water Board said it would be made up of 19 members out of which 10 are farmers and other nine are non-farmers.
Secretary Chaudhry Muhammad Shafique said the Area Water Boar played an advisory role. He said PC-I had been approved for the Area Board building which will cost Rs 5 crore. Director Social Environment Management Unit Dr Muhammad Ramazan, addressing the workshop said that by releasing polluted water of industries in canals, agri-produce of our cultivators is being badly affected.
He said that Area Water Board should pay special attention to this issue and take necessary measures for protecting ground water from pollution. General Manager Operations Ashraf Khan Niazi while appreciating the performance of the members of the Board said that the interest of farmers in canal system would result in their prosperity.