The county can save 16 MAF of water, more than Tarbela and Mangla dams storage, by reducing two irrigation for wheat crop from five to three times, with the adoption of water efficient wheat varieties and its harvesting on latest trends countrywide.

The county can save 16 MAF of water, more than Tarbela and Mangla dams storage, by reducing two irrigation for wheat crop from five to three times, with the adoption of water efficient wheat varieties and its harvesting on latest trends countrywide. Being the largest crop in the country, wheat consumes 40 million acre feet of water out of total 100 MAF being used for agriculture sector. It was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while addressing a wheat harvesting ceremony arranged by US Paksitan Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security and Directorate of Farms at UAF Paroka farm. He said that wheat is being sown at the largest area of agriculture land and if we will be able to reduce its one irrigation countrywide, it means we have saved 8 MAF of water. He said that agriculture was facing three major challenges including intensive temperature, water scarcity and salinity. He said that water shortage has been increasing with the passage of time. And the crisis will deepen in the years to come, he added. He viewed that adoption of modern trends are imperative to fight the challenges and to increase the productivity. He said that the majority of our population was depending upon the agriculture sector which was directly linked to poverty alleviation. He said that we are trying our best to improve wheat quality and make it beneficial for farmers. He said that cultivation of rice is not fit for our country and it is using 4000 liter of water for the production of one Kilogram. He said the UAF had developed short duration cotton variety which is also water efficient and machine picked. Dr Zulfiqar said that with the passage of time, the soil health was deteriorating, for which we have to take the measures and make the joint efforts. He said that if we didn’t adopt experts recommendation regarding soil nutrient, the country could face the looming agriculture crisis in the years to come. He said seed soil and fertilization are demanding our intentions. Director Farm Dr Farooq Ahmad said that Paroka farm was presenting a deserted look due to salinity and only six acre were able to cultivate in 2008. But now, 60 acre land was being cultivated under wheat and giving 60 mounds per acre. He said that all out efforts are being made to put the farm on the modern trends and disseminate these practices among the farming community.