FAISALABAD – Punjab Governor Latif Khosa has underlined the need to adopt the modern irrigation system based on conservation to avoid water catastrophe in future. The governor was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar to mark the World Water Day held at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) under the aegis of Department of Agriculture and Technology and Water Management Research Centre of the varsity.
He said, “We will run into serious water crisis unless we replace the existing flood irrigation system with the drip irrigation, sprinklers or head plantation technologies. We will have to give a serious consideration to reuse waste water through treatment for our irrigation needs.”
Khosa said China, by introducing a breakthrough mechanism of recycling waste water through a treatment process, has successfully reused it for its crop irrigation. He suggested Pakistan should benefit from this landmark experience of China. Highlighting the importance of agriculture, the governor said: “Our national economy is based on agriculture while our agriculture is based on water.”
The governor told the audience that Pakistan was among the poorest countries of the world in terms of average quantity of water availability per head. “Therefore, we have to ensure the implementation of equitable distribution of water with full force,” he stressed. He warned that in next 20 years time, 53 countries of the word would face a drought-like condition.
He declared that after 18 amendments, the provinces had an authority to improve their water resources and take steps to launch their power generation projects. “Therefore, it is possible for any provincial government now to produce energy through the installation of water turbines at the canals and rivers,” he said.
The governor argued that Pakistan People’s Party was pursuing its election manifesto that mainly focused on education, energy, environment, employment and empowerment (five Es agenda).
He observed that during the recent years, around 26 per cent decrease in water storage capacity of Mangla and Tarbela dams have been recorded. “That is why the federal government has launched Munda Dam and other water projects to overcome the shortages,” he argued.
He praised the key role of UAF for introducing innovation in agriculture and making dynamic progress in the production of wheat, cotton and poultry productions. He congratulated the UAF’s teachers and students on the golden jubilee celebration of their institution. Later, the chief guest inaugurated the new building complex of National Institute of Food Science and Technology.
Federal Food and Agriculture Secretary Junaid Iqbal Chaudhary, in his speech, highlighted the imprudent use of water and the problems arising out of the poor sewerage system in urban areas that resulted in health hazards to the masses. “Human interference in the order of the nature has pushed us into serious troubles such as climate change and global warming affecting flora and fauna,” he regretted.
Former WAPDA chairman and ex-KPK governor Engr Shamsul Mulk Khan disclosed that hydel electricity production cost Rs 1.20/unit, gas electricity Rs 5.47/unit, furnace oil Rs 12.04/unit and electricity production by coal cost Rs 5/unit. He was of the view that Pakistan must start the construction of Kalabagh and other dams without wasting time. “The construction of new dams will meet energy needs, enough water supplies for irrigation and rule out chances of floods. Kalabagh Dam will provide us with 15 billion units of electricity on yearly basis that can bring us far more revenue than 2 billion US dollars annually received from the aid package of Kerry-Lugar Bill”.
UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmed Khan, in his welcome speech, presented the contribution of the university to the national stream. “Starting with 800 students back in 1961, UAF has changed the agriculture and rural landscape of Pakistan through its more than 49,000 graduates over 50 years,” he said.
