Speakers at the training workshop emphasized the need of rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, investing in solar water pumps & biogas units to make irrigation more efficient and economical to solve the problems regarding water scarcity. They stressed that there is dire need to adopt latest techniques on farm water management to make barren lands productive.

They stated this while addressing on 10 days training workshop “On Farm Water Management” for Baluchistan’s Farmers with an aim to educate the Balouchistan’s farmers by providing them theoretical/practical knowledge about on farm water management through involving new techniques of irrigation to explore options to help convert barren lands to productive in Baluchistan, on November 7, 2013 at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR).

Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the workshop, which was organized by PMAS-AAUR in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations under Balouchistan Agriculture Project of USAID. In the 10 days training workshop 32 young farmers are participating from Balouchistan and will get training on High efficiency irrigation system, crop water requirements, introduction to landscaping, sources of irrigation water in Pakistan, surface irrigation methods, demonstration to solar system, conveyance and application efficiencies, irrigation scheduling, GIS remote sensing techniques etc and will also visit University Research Farm Koont.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR cited on farm water management is the key area that must be addressed in efforts to improve the agricultural sector. Therefore, it is important that any kind of way that we can find to make irrigation more affordable, we have to pursue those areas," he stated. However, that the expense associated is a major hindrance for many farmers, and pointed out that the government should work to address this concern.

While taking about the training course he said that it will help to strengthen the Balouchistan’s farmers technical capacity in on-farm water management, enhance sustainable agriculture island wide, and facilitate sensitivity towards climate change resilience. He was of the view that the course will lead to operating efficiencies, improved management information systems, enhance cost savings, and reduce risks in remote areas and will also be helpful to provide technical knowledge transfer to the farmers and assist with critical management decisions."

Earlier, team leader and National Expert Water Resource Management, FAO   Malik Aijaz Hussain Awan, in his welcome address gave a brief introduction about the Balouchistan Agriculture Project of USAID & FAO and hoped that this training will be helpful for the participants and undoubtedly assist in moving "the agricultural sector of Balouchistan to a higher level". He thanked the University administration and Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad for arranging this workshop on the campus and assured full support from his organization to the University.