HYDERABAD, Nov 7: About 34,750 watercourses will be lined in Sindh in four years at a cost of over Rs28 billion, which will help save about 30 per cent of water and increase agricultural output.

This was stated by provincial secretary of agriculture department Sabhago Khan Jatoi at a meeting with field officers of agriculture engineering and water management wings and irrigation department here on Saturday.

According to the secretary, 29,000 watercourses would be cemented under a national programme launched under the directives of President Gen Pervez Musharraf who had inaugurated the programme in Gujjo, Thatta district, on August 21.

The programme, funded by the federal government, will cost Rs22.53 billion and is being implemented through district governments with the participation of farmers.

Another programme of lining of 4,000 watercourses is being funded by the World Bank and will cost of Rs4.917 billion. Under the programme, 100 distributary/minor canals and 25 branch canals will also be improved, 200 water storage tanks constructed and 100,000 acres of land levelled through 150 laser levellers.

Moreover, 100 demonstration centres will be established to introduce concepts of integrated pest management and integrated plant and soil nutrient management to minimize use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides.

About 100 farmers' organizations and 4,000 watercourse associations will also be established to ensure farmers' participation in the programme.

The remaining 1,750 watercourses will be developed under another which will cost about Rs1 billion.