Water management wing of the Punjab Agriculture Department will carry out the lining project of watercourses in the province as according to experts it can save 45 percent of the water losses. According to a departmental spokesman, lining of water channels/micro-irrigation systems including drip/sprinkler irrigation is one of different methods being used world over to save the water resources.
Farmer organization will buy all material for construction of paved water channels and Government of Punjab will bear its total payment. Farmers will bear only labour charges during this improvement of water courses. Farmer organization of water channels will complete this task under their supervision and department will finally check as per approved design of water channels.
Total estimated cost of this program is Rs 465 Million. Farmers will get application forms for improvement of water courses during office timing from office of their regional Deputy Director/ Assistant Director Agriculture (Water Management).
Spokesman of Agriculture Department pinned his hopes that program of canal water courses improvement will not only save available water for agricultural purpose but also productivity of crop will be enhanced.