Seminar on Water and Food Security

The storage capacity of water reservoirs in Pakistan has reduced 30 percent since 1976 as it was 16 MAF but now it is standing only at 10 MAF due to increasing silt, posing a threat to water and food security. This was stated by Punjab Water Council President Ch. Hamid Malhi on Saturday while presiding over a seminar titled water and food security held in connection with World Water Day. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan was guest of honour on the occasion and it was arranged by Water Management Research Centre (WMRC) and Department of Irrigation and Drainage, UAF. Hamid Malhi stressed the need to build big dams in the country in order to ward off the water issues as the country was placed in the list of water scarce countries. He said that in the season of monsoon, the inhabitants of the country come under the devastation of floods. The situation can be tackled with the construction of big dams and stored water can be used in droughts that will reduce life and agricultural losses. He rapped the Indus Water Treaty inked in 1960 in which we had given the control of three rivers to India, adding woo to the people of our homeland. He urged the UAF scientists to transfer their technologies and researches to the farming community especially relating to water issues for minimizing the use of water and save it for the coming generations. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said Pakistan per capita water availability has reduced to 80 per cent since its inception as it was more than 5000 cubic metre in 1947 and now it is standing only 1100 cubic metre. He called for maximum productivity out of water with the use of drip irrigation by weaning farmers away from traditional and flood irrigation. He also urged the people not to waste the water and save it every drop that was vital to fight the challenge. Lauding the announcement of Prime Minster Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani about setting up National Food Security Council, he suggested adding issue of water in the council’s agenda. Faculty of Agricultural Engineering Dean Prof Dr Rai Niaz highlighting over-exploitation of groundwater, said that as many as 1.0 million tub wells are being operated, resulting in decline in groundwater table. He also called for conserving water with the use of drip irrigation and bed plantation. We have to take extra measures to address the issue by giving awareness to the masses. Irrigation Dept Chairman Dr Allah Buksh, Department of Agri Economics Chairman Prof Dr Ashafaq Ahmad and Water Management Training Institute Director Basharat Javaid also spoke on the occasion.