Murad directs Irrigation, Agri depts to introduce low delta high yield crops
Imran
Murad directs
Irrigation, Agri depts to introduce low delta high yield crops
CM directs
P&D to hire consultant for K-IV augmentation
KARACHI Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressing concern over the
impact of climate change on water scarcity said that this could be addressed by
introducing a new cropping pattern that includes low delta crops aimed at
reducing water consumption and increasing efficiency in agriculture.
He said that
climate change impact was emerging in the shape of water scarcity. “In order to
tackle water scarcity his government is planning a new cropping pattern that
includes low delta, high-yield crops to reduce water intake and upturn
agricultural efficiency.
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 Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam
Shah, Secretary Irrigation Zareef Khero 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 Asif Hyder 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
Asif Hyder 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.
Mr 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 Ahsan Iqbal 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.
