STAFF REPORT HYD: Experts, researches and academia carrying expertise on spate irrigation system spoke on the need to invest in the irrigation system to cope with the challenges of food security.
They were speaking at the ‘National Conference on Spate Irrigation: Potential and Challenges’ recently organised by the Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam and Research and Development Foundation (RDF).
SAU VC Dr. Mujeebuddin Memon Sehrai, appreciated the efforts by the Sindh government for the rehabilitation of Sukkur Barrage, which is the main source of irrigation in the province.
He said proper construction of spate system should be introduced, which could be the only way out of the development.
Allah Bakhsh Khan of Spate Foundation of Pakistan proposed to set up a national level network of farmers, experts, and researchers.
“If there is some missing crop in any area, we should introduce it for the peoples benefit. Similarly, knowledge sharing between all provinces on the subject should be promoted,” he said.
Karim Nawaz, hailing from Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, who conducted the research in Sindh, said the spate system needs to be developed for irrigation, drinking water, livestock, and recharging underground water systems.
He said Pakistan was not out of water, but we need management to provide the water to the communities in need.
Executive Director RDF Masood Mahesar sharing objectives of the conference said they have studied spate irrigation, covering all the areas.
He said Punjab and KP provincial governments have developed infrastructure about spate, but in Sindh there were only communities working on self help basis.