Abstract
Abstract The Indus River basin supplies water to the largest contiguous irrigation system in the world, providing water for 90% of the food production in Pakistan, which contributes 25% of the country's gross domestic product. But Pakistan could face severe food shortages intimately linked to water scarcity. It is projected that, by 2025, the shortfall of water requirements will be ∼32%, which will result in a food shortage of 70 million tons. Recent estimates suggest that climate change and siltation of main reservoirs will reduce the surface water storage capacity by 30% by 2025. The per capita water storage capacity in Pakistan is only 150 m3, compared with more than 5000 m3 in the United States and Australia and 2200 m3 in China. This reduction in surface supplies and consequent decreases in groundwater abstraction will have a serious effect on irrigated agriculture. Supply-side solutions aimed at providing more water will not be available as in the past. Current low productivity in comparison with wh...
Highlights
Irrigated agriculture and, water have always played an important role in the economic development of Pakistan and are likely to continue to do so in the future
Recent estimates suggest that climate change and siltation of main reservoirs will reduce the surface water storage capacity by 30% by 2025
Water have always played an important role in the economic development of Pakistan and are likely to continue to do so in the future
Summary
Water have always played an important role in the economic development of Pakistan and are likely to continue to do so in the future. Irrigation dominates water use in Pakistan and is expected to continue as the major user of both surface water and groundwater resources into the future. As cropping intensities increased, demand for more water increased, putting additional pressure on surface irrigation systems (Bhutta and Smedema 2007) This reduction in surface supplies and consequent decreases in groundwater abstraction will have serious effects on irrigated agriculture, which accounts for most of the agricultural production in Pakistan. This situation has threatened the sustainability of irrigated agriculture and the food security of 170 million people living in Pakistan. Comprehensive review of the current water resources of Pakistan, the challenges faced by irrigated agriculture, and possible future strategies to overcome these problems and ensure sustainability of irrigated agriculture in the Indus Basin of Pakistan
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