Salvaging saline land
By G.N.
Mughul
May 9, 2011: SINDH may be in for serious trouble because of
continuous degradation of its soil due to salinity and
alkalinity particularly in rice and sugarcane growing
districts.
According to official figures, about 1.126 million hectares
were severely affected by salts in 1992 and since then more
cultivable lands have suffered loss of productivity.
Soil experts stress the need for a province-wide
comprehensive survey to have the latest data to work on an
effective plan to tackle the menace. As per 1992 provincial
report, cane and paddy growing districts were worst affected
by salinity.
Farm experts point out that excess water given to paddy and
cane crops brings all salts on the soil surface. If only
required quantity of water is given to these crops and
saline lands are treated, per acre yield can increase
considerably. And lands, rendered uncultivable, can also be
brought under plough
Experts say if the agriculture economy of the province is to
be put on a strong footing, and poverty is to be reduced,
salt-affected soils should be salvaged on a priority basis.
While the Sindh government does recognise the gravity of the
problem, it has for one reason or the other not been able to
put an action plan together so far.
In 2009, Sindh Agriculture Department prepared a project
titled “Reclamation and Management of Salt Affected Soils”
and allocated an amount of Rs50 million in the budget
2009-10. But, this project could not be implemented during
that fiscal year and afterwards a similar amount was
earmarked in provincial ADP 2010-2011. The amount could not
be utilised due to an extraordinary financial crunch faced
by the province, owing to devastation by unprecedented
floods. However, senior officials assured that the
provincial government was serious to implement this project
in the year 2011-12.
A seven-member high level committee formed to plan,
implement and review the project as per PC-I has already
been approved. Its members are: Director General,
Agriculture Research, Sindh ( Chairman), and one
representative each from Chamber of Agriculture and Sindh
Abadgar Board, project incharge/ director (ARI), Chairman,
Soil Science Department, Agriculture University, Tando Jam,
and head of soil sciences division, NIA, Tando Jam, as its
members while the deputy director (Tech-II) from DG office
would act as member-secretary.
The plan objectives are: reclamation and management of
saline soils; research on salt affected soils and saltish/
brackish water; study on safe utilisation of saline/alkaline
water; research on reclamation of salt affected soils,
through chemical, biological or integrated approach with
advanced technologies; to collect seed of salt tolerant
plants, tress and grasses, and to conduct research to check
their tolerance, and to disseminate developed technologies
through trials on farmers` fields.
About 9000 acres would be treated under this project for
three seasons, starting from in four districts during first
year, 4+5= 09 districts over second year and in five
districts in third year. The project would work as
participatory research with growers at the farms.
There would be at least 160 trials at each district (100
trials of four acres each and 60 trials of 10 acres each).
The modus operandi of the project are: (a) priority would be
given to districts having more salinity, (b) trials will be
held in the range from 04 to 10 acres, (c) expenditure to be
incurred on providing gypsum, humic acid, sulphuric acid/
sulphur, and ammonium sulphate would be shared on 50 /50
basis by growers and the provincial government. Technical
services would also be provided toe farmers.
Labour, tractor, water availability, fertiliser, manure,
pesticides, POL, seed, and facility for research and other
technical staff at the field would be the responsibility of
the grower.
Courtesy: The DAWN