Managing Water and Salt for Sustainable Agriculture in the Indus Basin of Pakistan

The Indus basin of Pakistan occupies about 16 million ha (Mha) land. River and its tributaries are the primary sources surface water. An estimated 122 km3 water is diverted annually through an extensive canal system to irrigate this These supplies insufficient meet crop requirements for intensive cropping practiced in basin. shortfall met by exploiting groundwater. Currently, 62 groundwater pumped 1.36 private public tube wells. About 1.0 tubewells working only Punjab province. Small account 80% volume. Inadequate allocation along irrigation canals allows excessive use head-end farmers, resulting waterlogging. In contrast, less productive erratic tail-end farmers often results soil salinity. major issues faced irrigated agriculture low yields efficiency, increasing salinization, quality deterioration, inefficient drainage effluent disposal. 4.5 Mha (about 30% total area) suffers from adverse salinity levels. Critical governance include inequitable distribution, minimizing extent which salt mobilized, controlling pumping, immediate repair maintenance infrastructure. This paper suggests several options improve governance, management support sustainable Pakistan. saline areas, rotational priorities should be reorganized match delivery schedules as closely possible demand, while emphasizing reliability schedules. Wherever possible, pump fresh into distributaries increase availability at tail ends. Any substantial reform make more flexible responsive would require amendment existing law reconfiguration entire infrastructure, including thousands kilometers channels almost 60,000 outlets farmer groups. Within political economy Pakistan, changing current distribution laws without modernizing infrastructure complicated. A realistic program prioritize interventions that do not Acts or reconstruction relatively inexpensive. If successful, such may provide basis further, reforms. present supply continue, with investments focusing on lining ensure equitable reduce waterlogging head Besides that, reuse encouraged minimize disposal volumes. timely farm inputs can individual farmers’ productivity. Farmers will need have access new information improved reclamation approaches. Simultaneously, government focus