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Water conservation
strategies
Water is an essential factor for life and nothing can stay
alive without it. Plants can not grow without water. When
plenty of water was available, more and more barren lands
were brought under cultivation. Even sand dunes were
converted into green fields. The availability of reasonable
quantity of water confined us not to learn proper usage of
water and we have not paid attention to use water according
to the soil and crop requirements.
At present, when water is becoming a scarce commodity, we
are continuing the same old methodologies of water use.
Even, we remain unable to improve and manage properly the
water distribution system particularly in areas where under
ground water is brackish. The water conveyance losses in
Pakistan, under exiting canal distribution system, are more
than 50%. Our negligence in making proper policies has
created drought like situation in the country. As a result
of global warming, intensity of precipitation from sky is
decreasing every year.
The majority of cropland area of the country is irrigated
through canals and rightly called as "Irrigated
Agriculture". In fact, it is a reliable area which supports
and fulfills the needs for food, fiber and raw materials in
Pakistan. While other areas are at the mercy of rains and
called as "Rain-fed Agriculture". The contribution of this
area is minor or negligible compared to the irrigated area.
Our irrigated area is also facing drought like situation for
the last 10 years due to less availability of water in
canals and through precipitation. It is estimated that our
farmers have to face up to 50 per cent or even more shortage
of water if there are no rains in the coming months. At
present, expected good crop of cotton in South Punjab has
already suffered from shortage of canal water. This alarming
situation compels us to think a well before time about
sowing of coming wheat crop. South of Punjab falls under
arid climate where at least 2 acre inches of water per week
during the growing season is required to produce maximum
yield.
To deal with the issue of declining water and greater
demand, we should take into account the following without
further delay:
1) Immediate erection of new dams 2) Adoption of water
management strategies 3) Implementation of water
conservation and saving technologies.
Erection of new dams is need of the hour. Currently the
biggest dams, Mangla and Terbella can not meet the demand of
water. Dams have specific life and addition of silt
gradually decreases their water storage capacity. Therefore,
immediate implementation of projects regarding construction
of new dams would be helpful to meet the future demand of
water.
The significance of small dams and reservoirs can not be
denied. In the coming future, farmers have to build their
own reservoirs to store and properly manage water. The
current governmental decision to built small reservoirs in
Balochistan would meet this demand to an extent in the
province.
Adoption of modern techniques for proper management of
presently available water could help us to overcome the
shortage of water. It could be used judicially and according
to the crop and soil evapotranspiration requirements. The
existing wara bandi system of water distribution is out
dated now; we have to bring changes in it by adoption of
modern techniques i.e. GIS, Remote Screening etc. In
addition, scientifically approved agronomic practices of
water savage like sowing of crops on ridges/ beds, should be
adopted by the farmers to best utilize the available water.
The government should encourage installation of tube wells
where quality of underground water is good. The canal water
must be supplied more to those areas which have poor quality
of tube well water to minimize the deleterious effects of
brackish water. We could also practice technologies which
conserve water in soil and reduce seepage and leaching
looses.
At present, developed world is adopting water conservation
and saving technologies. The major source of their research
is the Universities. The role of agriculture universities in
the developed world in agriculture policy making is far
greater than in Pakistan. Some time universities guide to
maintain or cut down the flow of water in canals in certain
areas by keeping in view crop and climate conditions.
The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad is considered the
biggest Agriculture University in Asia and has remained a
major source of research in the Subcontinent. Presently,
researchers at the University have suggested that the use of
Nitrogel increases the amount and duration of available
moisture in the root zone, thus implying longer intervals
between irrigations.
Nitrogel has characteristics to conserve the water and
nutrients in the soil. It can be applied to crops with
irrigation water at nakka. It settles down in the
subsoil/root zone and entraps the soil water, which other
wise loses through seepage, and supplies this reserve slowly
to plants. It contains 40% nitrogen and holds the nutrients
due to its anionic nature. Nitrogel is prepared from
nitrogenous compound and water in the presence of catalyst
that allows several molecules to join together to make a
long chain, very much like that of starch and proteins. .
When properly applied, gel reduced watering frequency by:
• 20-50% for most irrigated field crops and orchids.
• 40-60% in potted plants at homes, nurseries, gardens and
hotels.
• 20-35% on lawns, landscaped area, golf courses, roadside &
Motorways greenbelts.
This product is developed by a team of researchers at the
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad in collaboration with
Ail Chemical Industries, Faisalabad. This product is also
made cost effective to be used at large scale in the fields
by utilizing the indigenous compounds. Agriculture is the
back boon of our economy and needs attention more than
before. Research at agriculture universities is limited to
green houses only.
There is a need to take the research in the fields to get
better crops and savage of water. There is no doubt that our
scientists have the capacity and expertise not only to
deliver to Pakistan but also to the World, only recognition
and support is required.
By Dr Muhammad
Yaseen
The Author is currently working as Assistant Professor,
Institute of
soil and environmental sciences, University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad.
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