Conference on ‘Biosaline Agriculture in Arid Areas of Sindh’

SUKKUR: The Sindh government will provide 80 percent subsidy on adopting high-efficiency irrigation and biosaline system to the farmers across the province, suggested for resolving water scarcity.

It was said at a conference on ‘Biosaline Agriculture in Arid Areas of Sindh’ and organised by the district administration, Tharparkar, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, Sindh Agriculture Department and others. The conference unanimously passed recommendations for the provincial government to make policies, saying the saline water resources of Thar could be considered an opportunity and the experience of organisations like Thar Foundation might be engaged to implement the policies across the region. The conference also suggested that the salt tolerant plants could be introduced along with regular monitoring of water quality should also be done.

Secretary Agriculture Abdul Rahim Soomro announced that Sindh has decided to provide 80 percent subsidy to the farmers, who are likely to introduce efficient irrigation and biosaline systems, adding that the decision would formally be approved by the provincial cabinet. He said similarly as Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, a provincial research institute, Sindh Agriculture Research Council, is being established to promote agriculture productivity. A committee on Biosaline Agriculture should also be formed, saying the government wanted to see Thar to be transformed into a green region through adopting biosaline agriculture initiatives and high efficiency irrigation techniques.