ICID president calls on Punjab Water Resources minister

In a bid to preserve the depleting groundwater level, Punjab Water Resources Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria urged Wednesday the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) to share technical expertise to augment state's efforts in this direction.

Highlighting the various steps being taken towards promoting crop diversification, Sarkaria asked ICID president Felix Britz Reinders, who called on him here, to complement the state efforts to save this precious resource.

Underlining the importance of diversification of crop pattern, Sarkaria emphasised that the paddy-wheat cycle had lowered the groundwater level which was a main cause of concern, a Punjab government release said.

He further said that the state government is sensitising farmers to shun the paddy-wheat cultivation practise and adopt crop diversification to save the state from turning into a "desert".

Sarkaria also asked the Principal Secretary Water Resources Sarvjit Singh to explore the modalities for further cooperation with ICID.

As per the release, Reinders, who holds specialisation in water resources management and irrigation engineering, including research, design and training, has suggested to adopt the micro irrigation systems like sprinkler and drip system to save ground water.

He also assured to the minister of all possible assistance and cooperation in this regard.

ICID is a professional network of experts from across the world in the field of irrigation, drainage, and flood management. The main mission is to promote sustainable agriculture water management.