Irrigation

Rabi FY09 season started with the IRSA forecast of 32 to 39 percent water
shortage; potentially making a negative impact on the key season crop plantation
and watering schedules. Less than expected rains in the period and low availibility
of glacial melt meant that agricultural activity was mainly dependent upon the
canal operations from the fast depleting water reservoirs or any surprise westerly
rain bearing system. Rainfall in wheat sowing season has however helped the
farmers towards greater acreage.
The water situation has been further worsened by low levels in Chenab river
primarily impacting agricultural activity in Punjab (see Box 2.1). To cope with
the shortages of irrigation water, some urgent measures are needed including: (1)
speedup work on projects under construction, (2) adoption of technological means
to increase efficiency of available resources ( see Box 2.2), (3) measurses to
reduce irrigation water losses, and (4) plantation of drought resisting seeds.
It may be mentioned here that traditionally rabi is a dry period with greater
dependence upon winter rains than on canal operations. Over the years, possibily
reflecting global warming, the winter rains have been sparse and insufficient for
any sowing activity in the key crop areas. In order to preserve the depleting
reservoirs for key wheat watering sessions; canal operations are likely to be
rationed towards the end of the calendar year 2008.