Staff Reporter
Rawalpindi
Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project is boosting Agriculture in Punjab said by Dr. Gou Li during World Bank Mission visit to Rawalpindi Division.
The objective of visit was to evaluate the impact factor of completed schemes under this project. In this project Water Management wing of Agriculture Department Punjab has installed Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System on area of 65 thousand acre in Punjab on 60% subsidy. Out of which 14 thousand acre area is present in Rawalpindi Division.
This high efficiency irrigation system (Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System) saves 60 to 70% of water as compared to conventional flood irrigation system. The World Bank Mission team included Dr. Gou Li (team leader), Ms. Xueling Li, Ms. Mah Ahmad, Babar Khan and Rubina Qambar. During the visit World Bank Mission team leader Dr. Gou Li said that in Pakistan major portion of water is used for irrigation and Pakistan is now facing shortage of water. In these circumstances Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System are very suitable for uneven lands like Pothwar track.
The additional advantage is that we can use fertilizer alongwith water through the Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System according to requirements of plants.
The mission visited different forms where high Efficiency Irrigation System has been installed under World Bank project. Benefited farmers told to the mission that they are now getting high yield as compared to the conventional flood irrigation system.
The Mission also inaugurated the new schemes of Drip Irrigation System in Tehsil Kallar Kahar of District Chakwal. Director General Water Management Malik Muhammad Akram briefed the Mission that due to installation of Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation System the trend of Grapes, Olive and Peach cultivation is increasing day by day in Pothowar Region.
