Javed Khan
PESHAWAR: The provincial minister for irrigation on Monday said that effective steps are on the card to streamline the irrigation system of the southern districts especially of Dera Ismail Khan to increase agriculture production and meet challenges of looming food insecurities in the region.
He made these remarks while talking on the occasion of a detailed visit of the district along with minister for local government Faisal Amin Gandapur.
Arshad Ayub Khan was briefed in detail regarding Chashma Right Bank Canal and Gomel Zam Irrigation System in the region.
“The southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are important in terms of agricultural production. Steps are being taken to solve the irrigation problems of these districts on a priority basis,” he added.
He said that thousands of acres of land remain barren due to the lack of a good irrigation system in the southern districts of the province, adding a series of visits have been planned with the objective of identifying loops in the irrigation system and a comprehensive plan in the making to resolve them as early as possible.
During the visit, the provincial irrigation minister also met the farmers’ delegations and listened to their problems and assured them effective steps for sustainable solutions.
The delegation appreciated the provincial government for taking notice of the irrigation issues in the district and ensured their full cooperation to this end.
Chief Engineer South Nasir Ghafoor Khan and other relevant officials of the irrigation department were also present.
He further said that the province will be led towards self-sufficiency by increasing agricultural production with the best irrigation system.
He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) provincial government has launched and recently completed a number of development projects in different sectors across the province.
Mr Arshad maintained that all necessary steps would be ensured in the department to meet the demands of water availability for agriculture purposes.
