KARACHI: A delegation of the World Bank (WB) called on Agriculture Minis­ter Ismail Rahu at the latter’s office on Thursday.

Officials at the ministry said the delegation included Hans Jansen, Wajid Rana and Daud Khan while Dr Fateh Marri, coordinator for Water Sector Improve­ment Project, also attended the meeting.

While briefly touching on the ongoing WB activities aimed at improving farm productivity and income for farmers in the province, the delegation also discussed possible new opportunities for collaboration.

The officials said it was mentioned in Sindh, there was a rapidly expanding demand for water for domestic and industrial use, along with a pressing need to allocate increased amounts for sanitation and waste disposal in both rural and urban areas, as well as for environmental purposes.

Meeting these growing demands for water, they agreed, required that a coherent package of comprehensive reforms and investment in both irrigation and agriculture sectors was needed to deal with the increasing demand for water.

The WB team, said the officials, expressed its willingness and full commitment to assist the Sindh government in formulating and implementing such a comprehensive package.

Mr Rahu welcomed support from the World Bank and agreed to continue discussions for a new project which would benefit rural and small farmers and promote economic growth.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2018