A comprehensive groundwater recharge policy must be mapped out to address the issue of deteriorating water quality and decreasing level of underground water.

A comprehensive groundwater recharge policy must be mapped out to address the issue of deteriorating water quality and decreasing level of underground water. It was echoed at the executive meeting of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad at New Senate Hall. The meeting chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan discussed the priority researchable area under the Centre for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, UAF. The Vice Chancellor expressed his concern that we are exporting the rice worth Rs 2 billion at the heavy cost of water worth Rs 8 billion. He was of the view that groundwater in the country was running out on fast pace. The World Bank and Asian Development Bank have categorised Pakistan as a water-stressed country. He said we were dragging groundwater at a large pace, resulting in lower down the water level. He said that there is no mechanism to recharge the groundwater in the country. He said increasing pressures of climate change, population growth, urbanization and growing energy requirement and the food security were the area of concern in which step-up efforts are needed to face the . He said that we are wasting the water and in the years to come, the situation will further worsen. Talking about oil, he said that we are importing the oil worth 3.5 billion. If we ensure the promotion of oil seed crops, we can not only overcome the import but also can fetch the foreign exchange. He said that in 1951, the country population was 35 million which has now crossed 200 million. He said we had not increased agricultural markets for six fold increased population. He said that in Punjab, the cattle markets had been revamped in Punjab that is bringing the tangible results. Registrar Muhammad Hussain conducted the proceeding of the session.