Officials fear water scarcity could affect Kharif crops

Irrigation department officials urge farmers to focus on modern way of irrigation

MULTAN: Shortage of irrigation water could affect the production of crops of Kharif season in Multan. In a bid to counter the scarcity of water, farmers should shift their focus on modern and efficient ways of irrigation.

This was said by irrigation department officials on Monday. They said that Pakpattan canal system (upper) which irrigates Pakpattan and Vehari districts faced water scarcity of 45%.

Similarly, Pakpattan canal (lower) which irrigates Lodhran and Vehari was facing 25% shortage of water. Mailsi Canal faced 26% water shortage, while Sidhnai that irrigates fields in Multan and Khanewal was facing 16% water shortfall. They maintained that Haveli internal (Shorkot) was facing 29% water shortage.

The officials pointed out that cotton, sugarcane, jowar, maize, soybean and some other crops are cultivated during Kharif season and thus the water shortage could affect enhanced production of the crops this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2018.