Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
in farmers' mentality could be facilitated by measures such as revising
the existing energy pricing system. For instance, removing or limiting the
subsidies on electricity could help to reduce groundwater over-pumping
and encourage more effi cient use of water.
9.4 CONCLUSIONS
Groundwater use in agriculture has increased significantly in the past few
decades and it has become a lifeline to Pakistan's agricultural produc-
tion. Currently, it provides more than 50% of the total water available
at the farm gate and in many areas is the sole water resource for summer
crops. However, rapidly dropping groundwater water tables in aquifers
all over the country indicate that the extraction rate is far greater than the
real capacity of these resources. Under these circumstances, groundwater
availability might decrease considerably in future, which will have seri-
ous consequences for the food security of this country. On the other hand,
groundwater use is also linked with a high energy demand and carbon
footprint in Pakistan. In Pakistan, the extraction of 50 BCM of groundwa-
ter consumes 30 billion kWh of energy. Carbon emissions attributed to this
energy use are 3.8 MMT of CO
2
yr
−1
. Therefore reducing irrigation water
demand through improved irrigation practices is vital for preserving the
environment and sustaining groundwater resources.
Despite the fact that pumping is an energy-intensive activity, so far very
little attention has been given to the carbon footprint of groundwater irrigation
in Pakistan. This study shows that adoption of improved irrigation practices
will save up to 24 BCM of irrigation water, which in turn, will reduce the en-
ergy demand and carbon emissions by 40%. This shows that enhancing water
productivity through improved irrigation management can help in coping with
water, energy, and climate change issues in Pakistan's agricultural sector.
ENDNOTES
1.
Mostly privately owned diesel tubewells are powered by 10-24 hp
engines. These engines are of two types, i.e. the 12-16 hp Chinese
