KARACHI, Oct 4: The Sindh Assembly’s standing committee on food and agriculture has recommended increased use of laser land levelers in the agriculture sector to check wastage of water.

In its report submitted to the assembly on Thursday, the committee headed by Mr Anwar Ahmed Khan Mahar, MPA, claimed that the use of this equipment in the province would decrease water loss by 32 per cent to 40 per cent.

Regarding the Agricultural Engineering and Water Management Wing, the committee observed that to enhance agricultural productivity through mechanising operation, it was necessary to provide for primary and secondary tillage implements, harvesting equipment and post-harvesting handling, transportation, packaging and preserving technology.

The report pointed out that shortage of water for irrigation had been increasing at a fast pace. It, however, suggested that the problem could be tackled through lining of water courses and construction of water storage tanks and farm water reservoirs.

Advocating a 100 per cent lining of the water courses, it said that the present 30 per cent lining was not enough to reduce water loss.

The chairman of the committee strongly opposed the construction of big dams in the country, which was a clear reference to the controversial Kalabagh Dam.

However, the committee favoured construction of small dams in the province.

The committee also called for increasing the irrigation water supply up to 5,000 cusecs in the downstream to avoid disturbance of the ecosystem.

It also stressed the need for zero tillage technology in the province and cropping pattern to suit water availability in a particular area.

The committee chairman also urged the relevant authorities to activate the field officers.