Improving Salinity and Agricultural Water Management in the Indus Basin of Pakistan

Improving Salinity and Agricultural Water Management in the Indus Basin of Pakistan
Author: Michael Mitchell
Publisher:
Total Pages: 19
Release: 2017
Genre: Saline water
ISBN:

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"Waterlogging and salinisation are major impediments to the sustainability of irrigated agriculture and livelihoods of farming families across the Indus Basin of Pakistan. About 6.3 million ha in Pakistan are affected by different levels and types of salinity. Nearly half of this area is under irrigated agriculture. The drive for higher cropping intensities coupled with the lack of adequate surface water supplies has caused farmers to use poor-quality groundwater as a supplemental source of irrigation. The large scale exploitation of poor quality groundwater has increased the risks of soil salinisation and sodicity. About 4.5 million ha are already affected by secondary salinisation of which about half are located in irrigated areas. Another 1 million ha is affected by water logging (Qureshi et al., 2008). In Punjab, about 20% of the land suffers from salinity and another 20 to 30% has high groundwater levels, due to over application of surface water. Soil salinity problems are particularly serious in Sindh province where some 70 to 80% of the soil is classified as moderately or severely saline (Smedema, 2000). The southern districts of Lower Sindh, Thatta and Badin are particularly vulnerable to salinity due to waterlogging and seawater intrusion in coastal agricultural areas. A holistic approach that incorporates the social, environmental, technical and economic aspects of salinity management is needed in Pakistan. Such an approach offers better prospects for identifying and exploring adaptation measures and building resilience for communities affected by salinity. This SRA has established the need for a holistic approach to salinity and water management, and has laid the basis for developing a shared understanding of the risks and opportunities for farming and coastal communities in salinity affected areas of the Indus Basin of Pakistan. Central to this is an understanding of the spatial and temporal dimensions of salinity in the landscape."--Website.

Strategies to Mitigate Secondary Salinization in the Indus Basin of Pakistan

Strategies to Mitigate Secondary Salinization in the Indus Basin of Pakistan
Author: Aslam, M., Prathapar, S. A.
Publisher: IWMI
Total Pages: 31
Release: 2006
Genre: Irrigation
ISBN: 9290906162

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ThisThis report discusses the nature and causes of secondary salinization, reviews strategies developed and tested within IBIS to mitigate salinization, and identifies areas requiring further investigation.

The Indus Basin of Pakistan

The Indus Basin of Pakistan
Author: Winston Yu
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 187
Release: 2013-05-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 082139875X

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This study assesses the impacts of climate risks and development alternatives on water and agriculture in the Indus basin of Pakistan. It analyzes inter-relationships among the climate, water, and agriculture sectors and provides a systems modeling framework for these purposes.

The Role of Research-supported Irrigation Policy in Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture

The Role of Research-supported Irrigation Policy in Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture
Author: D. J. Bandaragoda
Publisher: IWMI
Total Pages: 75
Release: 1993
Genre: Agriculture and state
ISBN: 9290901632

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Introduction; Institutions, policy and research; Research and policy on irrigation: the case of Pakistan; Discussion: linking research with policy; Conclusion.

Strategies for the Management of Conjunctive Use of Surface Water and Groundwater Resources in Semi-arid Areas

Strategies for the Management of Conjunctive Use of Surface Water and Groundwater Resources in Semi-arid Areas
Author: Asad Sarwar Qureshi
Publisher: IWMI
Total Pages: 33
Release: 2004
Genre: Groundwater
ISBN: 9290905794

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Due to inadequate rainfall, groundwater has acquired a vital role in the development of Pakistan's agricultural economy. However, a lack of awareness concerning the use of groundwater, either by itself or combined with canal water, has added large amounts of salt to the soil. As a result, large tracts of irrigated lands are already salinized, while many others are under threat. This report presents the results of a modeling study carried out to evaluate the long-term effects of a different quality of irrigation water on root zone salinity. The simulations were performed for the Rechna Doab (sub basin of the Indus Basin) in Pakistan, by using 15 years of actual rainfall and climatic data.

Water for Food Security

Water for Food Security
Author: Claudia Ringler
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 222
Release: 2016-03-22
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1317661958

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Pakistan’s water management is at a critical watershed. The world’s seventh-most populous country faces serious challenges that will require improvements in both the "hardware" and "software" of agricultural water management. Water shortages are growing rapidly as a result of growing demand across all water-using sectors. Rapid population growth, from 175 million people in 2010 to an estimated 236 million by 2030 and 280 million by 2050, and international food-price spikes create pressure to increase agricultural production of staples; but demand for cash crops is also growing rapidly, including for cotton, fruit trees and tobacco, to raise rural incomes and generate rural employment to absorb the relatively young, rapidly growing rural population. Water management is also increasingly affected by climate change – including an increased number of flood and drought events – and growing energy shortages, which affect how water is being sourced and used. Last but not least, Pakistan’s political situation is fragile, which has reduced incentives to invest in enhanced agricultural water (and other) technologies. How Pakistan addresses these challenges will be decisive for its population’s future water and food security, for economic growth, and for environmental sustainability. It will also affect water and food outcomes globally, due to the interconnectedness of global food trade. This book was published as a special issue of Water International.

Irrigation-induced Salinity

Irrigation-induced Salinity
Author: Dina L. Umali
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 98
Release: 1993-01-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780821325087

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This paper presents a synthesis of 15 success stories in the production, processing, and marketing of high-value food products (HVF) in developing countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. High-value food products, such as fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, dairy products, and vegetable oils, are defined as having high intrinsic value or a high rate of value added through processing. Trade in these products has expanded while trade and prices for other agricultural products, such as most staple crops, have stagnated or declined. The growing trade in HVF has prompted policymakers in developing countries to examine more closely how they can expand and diversify their exports of these products. This study explores the technical, organizational, and commercial challenges facing those in HVF export development. It identifies common market and institutional factors that have contributed to the growth and international competitiveness in HVF trade. Particular note is made of the roles of the private and public sectors and of the effect of the policy environment. It examines the effect of institutional coordination on the stages of production, processing, and trade. An annex summarizes 12 case studies of the development and performance of food commodity markets. It includes export of fresh vegetables from Kenya in the 1960s, shrimp from Thailand in the 1970s, and processed tomatoes from Chile in the 1980s.