The water scarcity problem is one of the most serious risks facing the world at every level: social, economic, political and environmental. It is already manifesting itself as a problem in parts of the world, emphasizing the need to manage the natural resource in a sustainable way with the appropriate infrastructure

FAO reported World Marine catch is depleting fast and aquaculture production is super passing the marine fish production to meet the growing demand of world population.

Aquaculture holds the key to improving fish production and thus any increase in fish consumption in Pakistan.

The most cost-effective way to increase fish production from aquaculture is to expand the already important low intensity carp farming industry centred in the Punjab and in Sindh. Ironically the average pond production around 0.5 MT per acres and 1.00 MT per acres in Sindh and Punjab respectively. Although, present government have taken step under Prime Minister's Agriculture Emergency Program to include aquaculture through cage and shrimp farming in saline area.

Conventional fish farming practices largely leads to extensive fish farming and after FEEDing Pakistan program of American Soybean Association funded by USDA from 2011 was a kick start of the Blue Revolution in Pakistan by introduction of two game changer technologies, i) floating fish feeds and ii)Tilapia culture bought attention of progressive fish farmers to adopt semi-intensive aquaculture practices.

General practices of harvesting fish to do the complete discharge of water from pond which is another waste of water and pollution in water stream.

According to a 2019 report by Pakistan's Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), four different water availability indicators widely used indicate that Pakistan is now a water scarce country and is fast approaching absolute water scarcity

In 2019, World Bank report proposes key reforms to improve water security and productivity. Pakistan can get more economic, social and environmental benefits from its water, subject to urgent reforms to improve water use efficiency and service delivery, says a new report from the World Bank.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020

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