ISLAMABAD, July 29: The government has evolved an agriculture strategy attaching priority on solution of water shortage by construction of small dams and introducing drip and sprinkler irrigation system.

According to Official sources the strategy has been prepared with a view to boost agricultural production by providing more facilities to the farmers to encourage them to step up their efforts to achieve self- sufficiency in agriculture sector.

The production of cotton, wheat and tea would be increased and area under rice and sugarcane would be, wherever possible, substituted by appropriate crops such as cotton, sugar-beet, and pulses, in view of water shortages.

In the oilseed sector major emphasis would be laid on promotion of olive oil cultivation and assistance from the UAE, China and Saudi Arabia would be sought for building of water reservoirs.

The government has allocated Rs1bn for sinking wells, karazes (Balochistan) particularly in drought-hit areas and 10,000 tube-wells will be installed in all four provinces.

The sources said that efficient water conservation technology was being encouraged and provinces were taking lead in adopting water saving techniques viz. land levelling, brick lining and watercourse improvement.

Export potential of fruits, vegetables, and cut-flowers would be exploited and major emphasis would be laid on enhancing their production.

The production of milk, meat and tobacco would be increased and quarantine and phyto-sanitary measures would be enforced to exploit full potential of local as well as export market.—APP