ISLAMABAD, April 10: Pakistan and the United States have great potential to benefit each other through joint projects in areas of water resources development, particularly in better irrigation practices and water quality management. This was stated by Dr Martha Mummey of the US Department of Agriculture at a wrap-up meeting held at the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), says a press release issued here on Sunday.

Dr Mummey was leading a US team of water resources expects, comprising Dr Doral Kemper, Dr Jim Bondurant, James Ayars, Dr Ali Sadeghi and Cliff Rice, who visited the country under the Pakistan-US Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology.

This was the follow-up to a visit by four US scientists to Pakistan last month, reciprocating a similar visit of a Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources delegation to the US in February.

The visits are being carried out to underline modalities and priorities to initiate three projects signed by the PCRWR with different US agencies recently. These projects are: Integrated water resources management in Pakistan; Assessment of water quality, and water treatment using desalination technology and other methods in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, PCRWR Chairman Dr Mohammad Akram Kahlown said the projects would immensely benefit Pakistan and would help in addressing various issues, particularly in areas of agriculture and potable water.

The delegation also held reciprocal briefing sessions with the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources scientists in Islamabad and Lahore to share experiences and knowledge on irrigation practices, water resources management approaches and water quality testing methods.

They also visited the water quality testing laboratory in Islamabad.

During the visit to the regional office in Lahore, the delegation appreciated research practices being carried out at lysimeters and field stations in introducing efficient irrigation methods for better crop production.