“Pakistan is facing a worsening water crisis… it is important to focus on water efficient crops,” University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan said on Wednesday.
Talking to students at the Civil Services Academy, Lahore, he said the per-capita water availability in the country had reached 1,000 cubic metres compared to 5,000 cubic metres in 1947. Khan said the water crisis could be “devastating if steps are not taken now.” “Pakistan imports pulses and edible oil worth Rs400 billion. This can be saved by local production,” he said.“It is the need of the hour to increase per acre production. Scientists and stakeholders should collaborate to ensure food security,” he said. Khan said Pakistan exported rice worth Rs200 billion at the expense of water. “4,000 litres of water are needed to produce 1kg of rice.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2014.