Water management alternatives for Pakistan : a tentative appraisal

THE SYSTEM IS NOT VERY EFFICIENT. FOR EVERY 100 MILLION ACRE FEET (MAD) OF WATER DIVERTED, ONLY ABOUT 30 MAF ARE EFFECTIVELY STORED IN ROOT ZONES ON CLIENT FARMS FOR CROP USE. MOST OF THESE LOSSES OCCUR IN THE POORLY CONSTRUCTED, POORLY MAINTAINED EARTHEN CHANNELS OF THE WATERCOURSES. THUS IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT A WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM BE LAUNCHED TO RAISE THE EFFICIENCY FOR THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. THE THREE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM WOULD BE TO (1) IMPROVE THE WATERCOURSES, SO AS TO DELIVER MUCH MORE IRRIGATION WATER; (2) CONDUCT EXTENSIVE LAND-LEVELING, SO AS TO MORE EFFECTIVELY DISTRIBUTE THE RECEIVED WATER; AND (3) IMPROVE IRRIGATION PRACTICES ON THE FARMS, SO AS TO PERMIT EXTENSION OF THE IRRIGATED AREAS. THE REPORT PRESENTS COST-BENEFIT EVALUATIONS OF SEVERAL DIFFERENT WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES FOR THE INDUS BASIN. AMONG THE MANY RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT, THE AUTHORS EMPHASIZE THAT ROUTINE WATERCOURSE MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE INITIATED AND INSTITUTIONALIZED AT THE VILLAGE LEVEL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL WATER USER ASSOCIATIONS.