Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has directed that solid planning be made for a balanced supply of water for irrigation purposes for achieving agri targets.
While presiding over a meeting regarding availability of canal water for agri purposes in the province, here on Thursday, he said that Punjab government was modernizing canal system through organized and meaningful reforms as the goal of agri self-sufficiency could not be achieved without improving and harmonizing irrigation system with the changing requirements.
The CM said that in addition to modernizing the 37000-km long canal network, participation of farming community in the management of canals and water channels has been ensured. He said that Punjab province was considered as the food basket of Pakistan and comprehensive measures were being taken for maintaining this identity of the province and uplift of agri sector.
The meeting considered in depth the supply situation of canal water for Rabi season 2011-12.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab government was taking revolutionary measures for the uplift of agri sector and a huge sum of Rs. 19.15 billion was being spent on various projects of agri development including irrigation of more than one lakh acre agri land through drip irrigation, reformation of seven thousand water channels and provision of laser land units to cultivators.
 He said that small dams were also being constructed in Barani areas for this purpose. He expressed the hope that small farmers who had obtained tractors under Green Tractor Scheme would pay special attention to increasing per acre yield.
Provincial Minister for Irrigation Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh, Secretary Agriculture, Consultant Irrigation Department M.H. Siddiqui, Director Met Office and officers concerned were present.
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