Published Date: Mar 27, 2014
SDPI Press Release (March 27, 2014)
The United States is committed to provide assistance to Pakistan for
improved water management and efficiency. This was expressed at a panel
discussion on ‘Water Assistance in Agriculture: Perspectives from the
US’ here today.
The discussion highlighted some of the major water-related development
programs currently underway in the agricultural sector in Pakistan.
Chris
de Veer from the US Department of State informed that cooperation and
assistance is being extended under five major areas, including
institutional capacity building on water issues, strengthening of
bilateral relationships, and investment in infrastructure, science and
technology. Another program on research and development on water
management is in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission
(HEC).
Randy
Chester from USAID highlighted that their programs are mainly focused
on providing new irrigation technologies and technical support for
efficient water management at the local level. Arshad Abbasi, Advisor on
Energy and Water at SDPI, observed that local communities demand their
own water management systems and there is now a need for
decentralization in the sector. Participants also expressed the need for
South Asia regional cooperation with regards to water issues as climate
impacts worsen.