Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science (GARJAS) ISSN: 2315-5094
October 2015 Vol. 4(10): pp. 678-710
Copyright © 2015 Global Advanced Research Journals

 

Full Length Research Paper

Improving food security and livelihood resilience through groundwater management in Pakistan

Asad Sarwar Qureshi

 

Senior Scientist – Irrigation and Water Management, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), P.O. Box. 14660, Dubai, UAE.

Email: a.qureshi@biosaline.org.ae; Tel: +971-4-336 1100.

Accepted 05 September, 2015

 

Abstract

Extensive groundwater extraction has helped Pakistan to achieve food security, economic development and reduction in rural poverty. However, the problems of groundwater over-exploitation are now threatening the continuation of Pakistan’s groundwater irrigation economy. This paper reviews the groundwater development, examines the benefits it has generated, institutional approaches applied and discusses why the resource has proven so difficult to manage. This study reveals that management of groundwater in Pakistan requires multifaceted actions focusing both on supply-side and demand-side solutions. These include stabilizing aquifer; re-visiting conjunctive water use; increasing productivity of groundwater use, and improving governance considering local socio-cultural factors. 

Keywords:  Conjunctive water use, policy reforms, food security, water table depth, soil salinization

 

Download Full Text - PDF