Rawalpindi division to construct more small dams

RAWALPINDI: Provincial Agriculture Minister Malik Ahmed Ali Olak has said that Punjab government is making all out efforts for the development of agriculture sector and soon Rawalpindi division will have eight more small dams.

He said upper areas of Punjab could not make considerable development in agriculture field owing to difficulties being faced by the farmers to get water for irrigation use.

He said this during his visit to the office of Director Small Dams. Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Member Provincial Assembly Chaudhary Sarfraz Afzal, Secretary Irrigation Muhammad Irfan Elahi, Director Agriculture Information Muhammad Rafiq Akhtar, Executive District Officer (EDO) Agriculture, Hameed Ullah Shah, Naveed Asmat Kahlu, officials of other departments concerned and representatives of NGOs were present on this occasion.

Provincial Minister further informed that Punjab government so far has constructed as many as 49 small dams which are irrigating nearly 85356 acres of land.

The provincial government is planning to construct eight more small dams in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock and Chakwal, he said adding, each district of Rawalpindi division would have two dams which would be completed within a period of three-year. Completion of these projects would bring visible changes in the region, he added.

He informed feasibility study for 11 more dams is being conducted while few projects would be completed during 2011-12 and 2012-13. The Minister said construction of these dams would not only bring green resolution but also provide clean drinking water to the local population. He said Punjab government has provided one billion rupees to Punjab Agriculture Research Board.

The funds earlier being provided for the development of research infrastructure has also been doubled in current provincial budget aimed at enhancing the pace of agriculture development to meet future challenges, he added.

Ahmed Ali Olak said that owing to shortage of Sui Gas in the country, the province is in severe deficiency of Urea fertilizer whereas; the federal government has been requested to ensure regular supply of gas to Urea fertilizer plants so that the fertilizer demand could be properly fulfilled.

Punjab government has also issued special directives to divisional commissioners for solid steps to ensure provision of fertilizer to the farmers on controlled rates aimed at hoarding and profiteering of the commodity could be averted.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011