ISLAMABAD, Oct 14: The science and technology ministry has launched a project for efficient water management in the irrigated areas of the southern Indus plain.

The project would be executed by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources through the Drainage Research Centre, Tando Jam, in 60 months and Rs40 million had been allocated for it, a press release said.

It will be implemented in the selected areas of Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Thatta, Mirpurkhas, Larkana, Sukkur, Dadu and Badin districts to introduce efficient technologies for water resources management for sustainable agriculture development in the irrigated areas of the plain.

Water management and agriculture related issues and problems in the southern Indus plain will be identified and a plan for sustainable water resources management will be developed to enhance water productivity. Pilot projects will be set up with the farmers’ participation.

Economists estimate that the country will face a shortfall of 11 million tons of production of major food crops by 2010 and 16 million tons by 2020, which would force the government to import edible oil, wheat and other food grains.

The water resources are becoming insufficient and the agriculture sector is utilizing about 97 per cent of them in the country.

In the agriculture sector, about 40 million acre feet water shortage is noticed, which would go up to 92MAF by 2010.

A survey of the selected districts will be carried out to document the status of water resources management and agriculture practices.

Skimming well technology, laser levelling, bed and furrow irrigation system, zero tillage technology, irrigation scheduling, pressurized irrigation system, use of low quality ground water and other techniques will be introduced at the fields under the project.