Falling short: Funds for water projects remain underutilised
Of the allocated Rs30b, about Rs25b will be spent on varying schemes
The focus of investment would be on construction of small and medium-sized dams and disposal of effluent in a safe manner in the upcoming fiscal year 2016-17. PHOTO: AFP .
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s agriculture sector, which recorded a negative growth due to lack of government focus, has missed the target of utilising allocated funds for water projects in the outgoing fiscal year 2015-16.
Farmers are forced to rely on groundwater with the help of tube wells due to dearth of storages in the country. Agriculture production is directly linked with the availability and effective consumption of water as a major input.
Government estimates suggest that 10 million acre feet (maf) of additional water will be needed at the farm gate by the end of the 11th Five-year Plan (2013-18) in order to meet the needs of a growing population, increase agriculture output and achieve planned targets of the Vision 2025.
According to the Annual Plan 2016-17, an amount of Rs30.12 billion was allocated for water sector’s development programme in 2015-16. “Out of which, more than Rs25 billion is expected to be utilised by the end of June 2016, comprising 83% of the total allocation,” revealed the annual plan.
In line with the commitment made every year in the budget, the government declared that the focus of investment would be on construction of small and medium-sized dams and disposal of effluent in a safe manner in the upcoming fiscal year 2016-17.
Of the total proposed budget amounting to Rs31.06 billion for 2016-17, maximum resources have been earmarked for the ongoing development projects that are nearing completion, construction of small and medium dams, drainage schemes, construction of new canals and improvement of the existing irrigation system.
The government expects overall water availability at the farm gate to be about 134.6 maf in 2016-17. This will be achieved through surface water supplies through canal withdrawals, canal lining and remodelling, irrigation system rehabilitation and improvement, construction of small and medium dams, check dams and retention weirs.
About 51 maf of groundwater would be included in the system mainly by private tube wells.
The government has emphasised on conservation measures to curb water losses through seepage including the remodelling and rehabilitation of the existing irrigation system, lining of irrigation channels and watercourses and completion of ongoing mega projects.
It has also earmarked Rs500 million to complete the ongoing and new small flood protection schemes in 2016-17. An amount of Rs7.96 billion has been allocated for small and medium dams whereas Rs5.47 billion will be spent on delay action dams to control floodwater and recharge the ground aquifer.
After the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, provinces were responsible for conservation projects such as on-farm water management and the high-efficiency irrigation system.
However, ongoing projects for the lining of irrigation channels in saline zones will continue in Punjab and Sindh with a federal allocation of Rs900 million for the next fiscal year.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2016.
Pakistan’s agriculture sector, which recorded a negative growth due to lack of government focus, has missed the target of utilising allocated funds for water projects in the outgoing fiscal year 2015-16.
Farmers are forced to rely on groundwater with the help of tube wells due to dearth of storages in the country. Agriculture production is directly linked with the availability and effective consumption of water as a major input.
Government estimates suggest that 10 million acre feet (maf) of additional water will be needed at the farm gate by the end of the 11th Five-year Plan (2013-18) in order to meet the needs of a growing population, increase agriculture output and achieve planned targets of the Vision 2025.
According to the Annual Plan 2016-17, an amount of Rs30.12 billion was allocated for water sector’s development programme in 2015-16. “Out of which, more than Rs25 billion is expected to be utilised by the end of June 2016, comprising 83% of the total allocation,” revealed the annual plan.
In line with the commitment made every year in the budget, the government declared that the focus of investment would be on construction of small and medium-sized dams and disposal of effluent in a safe manner in the upcoming fiscal year 2016-17.
Of the total proposed budget amounting to Rs31.06 billion for 2016-17, maximum resources have been earmarked for the ongoing development projects that are nearing completion, construction of small and medium dams, drainage schemes, construction of new canals and improvement of the existing irrigation system.
The government expects overall water availability at the farm gate to be about 134.6 maf in 2016-17. This will be achieved through surface water supplies through canal withdrawals, canal lining and remodelling, irrigation system rehabilitation and improvement, construction of small and medium dams, check dams and retention weirs.
About 51 maf of groundwater would be included in the system mainly by private tube wells.
The government has emphasised on conservation measures to curb water losses through seepage including the remodelling and rehabilitation of the existing irrigation system, lining of irrigation channels and watercourses and completion of ongoing mega projects.
It has also earmarked Rs500 million to complete the ongoing and new small flood protection schemes in 2016-17. An amount of Rs7.96 billion has been allocated for small and medium dams whereas Rs5.47 billion will be spent on delay action dams to control floodwater and recharge the ground aquifer.
After the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, provinces were responsible for conservation projects such as on-farm water management and the high-efficiency irrigation system.
However, ongoing projects for the lining of irrigation channels in saline zones will continue in Punjab and Sindh with a federal allocation of Rs900 million for the next fiscal year.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2016.