Energy crisis: Water shortage affects agriculture

Reason for reduced water supplies was due to decrease groundwater because of high diesel and electricity prices.

ISLAMABAD: Despite the construction of several water storage projects, no significant addition has been made in water supplies, which has adversely affected agriculture. An official of the Ministry of National Food Security said that in spite of all the strenuous efforts, water availability is either stagnant or dwindling. The officials stated that the main reason for a dearth in water supplies was due to a decrease in the contribution by groundwater because of high diesel and electricity prices, which has had a negative impact on agriculture. Additionally, below normal temperatures in April and May 2012 slowed down the glacial melt which further squeezed the surface water supply for Kharif season crops of 2012. Keeping in view the developments in the water sector, around 142 MAF water would become available in 2012-13 for agricultural use.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2012.