Irrigation water status in Pakistan, challenges and management strategies: A mini review

Abstract

The upsurge in population and scarceness in resources is leading the world towards deprivation of natural resources. Among them, water in either form, is the critical resource for sustaining life on earth. The conditions are more challenging in countries like Pakistan, where rainfall is less and semi-arid conditions prevail throughout the year. Pakistan agriculture produce is dependant mostly on the irrigation water and requires a well-chosen and sustainable water management strategic plan. However, certain aspects like water salinity, water logging, water sodicity, metal toxicity and surface water recharge are among the most crucial issues threatening the agriculture sector. This review will focus on the basic irrigation system of Pakistan, how the water is distributed among farmers, policies and their implementations and specific emphasis is made on the advanced irrigation methods being applied in the country. A complete prognosis is the utmost need under the current scenario of irrigation water needs and for future strategies. Moreover, the recent literature relevant to the factors that impedes the sustainable use of water and how it can be managed more efficiently under the available resources. Future prospects are suggested as up scaling of modern technology, improved agriculture-education and trainings, better-quality inputs for improved irrigation, reclamation of saline/water logged soils, more focus on credit and support prices for water inputs as well as improved water conservation techniques. Recommendations include upgrading of extension services, liberation of varieties which tolerates heat and drought, improvement in irrigation water management as well as advancement in reclamation and drainage practices.