Speakers stressed for adopting innovative techniques of irrigation to overcome the water shortage and sustainable agriculture growth for food security across the globe including Pakistan.

They stated while addressing at inaugural session of five-day International workshop on Irrigation Water for enhancing Productivity in achieving food safety Resource Management in Pakistan June 2, 2014.

The workshop is being organized by Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) in collaboration with National Productivity Organization (NPO), Ministry of Industries & Production and Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Japan with an aim to create awareness among all stakeholders to introduce, use of innovative technologies, share best practices of irrigation and water management to enhance food productivity and to increase the food security in the country.

Mr. Arif Ibrahim, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries & Productions as well as Alternate APO director, was the chief guest of the inaugurating session.  He said that Pakistan’s Agriculture sector contributes between 21-25 percent of Pakistan’s GDP and employs about half of the labor force. He further said that Pakistan is blessed with fertile lands, rivers, suitable climate and rich soil, however due to mismanagement and inadequate drainage and irrigation systems, waterlogging and salinity, the agricultural production is below to its potential. Since agriculture is a main user of water; therefore sustainability of agriculture depends on timely and adequately availability of water. Pakistan’s agriculture is dependent on irrigation that supplies over 90% of the agricultural production. Recognizing this event as a very important event he appreciated the efforts of NPO & APO in regards to reviewing current agricultural policies within different regions of Pakistan.

Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR, in his address, said that water is an essential element for agriculture which had a great potential to boost country’s economic growth and productivity. The vice chancellor said that country is very much concerned about the water security and we have to join hands in order to combat the challenge. If we improve our water efficiency, we can double the areas for agriculture production, he added.   He stressed upon the need to educate the farming community about modern methods of farming at grass-roots level. He told the audiences about the different practices on the University to save and store water by adopting different techniques. Dr. Niaz Ahmad emphasized that for a region where whole population is dependent on rainwater should get benefits from rainwater harvesting and it is also an important technique to save our water resources.

CEO-NPO, Dr. Sher Muhammad while addressing to the gathering said that managing water for food security needs the adoption of agricultural best practices. Integrated land and water management practices such as organic farming and agronomical activities can be helpful to enhance land and water use productivity on a sustainable basis. He added further that water is not only required for agricultural but also essential for hydropower production, which is presently highly needed for the development of energy sector in Pakistan.

Dr. Saeed who is senior coordinator for Asian Productivity Organization (APO) said that it is predicted that water shortage in Pakistan will increase to 31% of people’s need by 2025 and this underlines the need for some tangible steps, including water usage charges and of building of small and big water storages to cope up with the problem. Adoption of water management technologies and practices are required to improve agricultural productivity, foster sustainable food security, improving livelihood, and reducing poverty by employment generation.