Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has emphasized the importance of adopting a new cropping pattern focused on water-efficient crops. Expressing his apprehensions regarding the impact of climate change on water availability, CM Murad highlighted the need for a shift towards low delta crops. These crops are designed to minimize water consumption while maximizing agricultural productivity, thereby addressing the challenges posed by water scarcity.
In line with this vision, CM Murad directed the Irrigation and Agriculture departments to spearhead the introduction of low delta high yield crops across the region. By promoting such crops, the government aims to enhance water efficiency in agriculture and mitigate the effects of water scarcity on farmers. This he said while presiding over a joint meeting of Irrigation and Agriculture departments here at the CM House. The meeting was attended by Minister Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro, Chief Secretary AsifHyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary Irrigation ZareefKhero and officers of the agriculture department.
The CM said that during the Kharif season-2024 water shortage was expected to 30 per cent but it could be more acute, therefore our agriculture sector would suffer. “I want the Irrigation and Agriculture depts to sit together and chalk out a plan for changing the cropping patterns,” he said and added that the list of the proposed/recommended crops may be submitted to him for further discussion and approval. Murad Shah directed Chief Secretary AsifHyder Shah to chair joint meetings of the irrigation and agriculture departments and work plans for changing the cropping pattern so that the low-delta high-yield crops could be introduced. Chief Secretary AsifHyder Shah said that he would activate the agriculture department’s Research wing for necessary research so that that could be disseminated to the farmers and growers.
The CM directed Minister Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro to ensure the efficient use of water by the growers. “This becomes a joint responsibility of the Irrigation and Agriculture depts to educate the farmer for efficient and effective use of water,” he said and added this was the reason his government has given priority to the lining of water courses. According to the chief minister conservation in agriculture has become important. He added that there were various for agricultural water conservation, including Drip Irrigation, Sprinkle system, dry farming, conservation tillage and various others. “We have to study which method suits of weather, which method would be successful in which area, and how and when to start,” he said and added this all needed an appropriate study and research.
Minister Irrigation briefed the chief minister on the reconstruction/repair of the irrigation network/system damaged by the recent floods. K-IV Augmentation: The chief minister in another meeting reviewed the progress of the Rs72 billion K-IV Augmentation works and approved RS14.7 billion as 20 per cent provincial government share. Shah directed Minister P&D Nasir Shah to get the pending approvals for dedicated procurements from the concerned teams of the World Bank/AIIB.
The CM was told that NOCs for Augmentation works were being sought from different 12 federal and provincial agencies for identification and relocation of their system. At this, the CM directed the local govt department and Water Board to pursue them for issuance of the NOC. The CM was told that some approvals were pending at the Planning Commission.
The CM said that he would personally talk to federal Minister AhsanIqbal to expedite the pending K-IV project. The CM directed the P&D department to start the process of hiring consultants for the K-IV Augmentation component by the time the Planning & Commission approves the project.
