By Arsalan Ali ISLAMABAD, Mar. 29 (INP WealthPK): Pakistan is currently facing serious water scarcity which can be resolved by using innovative conservation measures in agriculture sector. As much as 94 percent of Pakistan's water is consumed by the agriculture sector. Due to inefficient, aging, and poorly maintained irrigation system, 61 percent of water is lost during conveyance through canals, distributaries, and application in the agriculture field. Dr Abedullah, Chief of Research at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad (PIDE), told WealthPK that the increasing scarcity of water resources in the country is creating difficulties in ensuring adequate supply to all provinces. Water is divided among provinces according to the 1991 Water Appointment Accord (WAA). From a base volume of 144.8 billion cubic metres (BCM), Punjab province receives 48%, Sindh 42%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 7%, and Balochistan 3%. Availability of lesser quantity of water in various months causes difficulties. “Water is unpriced in Pakistan and lower price of water for farmers causes higher/inefficient use of water for agriculture. Moreover, lower revenue in terms of Abiana (canal water charges) causes lower operating and maintenance of canals,” he said. He mentioned that over 80 percent of the country’s water resources are used by four crops: wheat, rice, cotton, and sugarcane despite the fact that these crops contribute only 5% to gross domestic product (GDP). Pakistan is among the top 10 lowest ranked countries, with productivity of $1.4 per cubic meter of water withdrawn, he added. Pakistan is ranked 14th on the list of countries with an extremely high-water risk. Pakistan has drastically changed from being water-abundant to water-scarce. At the time of independence, Pakistan had a capacity of 5,200 cubic metres per capita. Now this availability is less than 1,000 cubic metres per capita. This is a decline of more than 400 percent, according to the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). Pakistan has one of the world's best irrigation systems. The government should expand Pakistan’s canal system and maintain it under check and balance. Subterranean water resources are diminishing sharply due to the usage of tube wells. The availability of water for farmers through canals will help reduce dependence on underground water resources. Policymakers should reconsider the existing water policy by encouraging wastewater recycling based on principle of private sector participation and optimal pricing of water. It is key to leverage technology for efficient water utilization. However, it is also crucial to choose the right innovation so it delivers the desired solution. Farmers should adopt latest technology to increase their productivity. Instead of flooding their fields, farmers can use precision watering. Drip irrigation is one of the most significant advancements in modern agriculture. Water-intensive crops like sugarcane and rice may be replaced with crops that require less water. Another option is to make water metering mandatory for all users, whether they are using it for home, agricultural, or industrial purpose. Once the amount of use is determined, improved planning and management of the valuable resource is possible. Consumers have no incentive to conserve water under the existing price system. Pricing should be tied to income levels. Increasing the cost of water usage will not only encourage people to use water more wisely but also generate adequate cash for maintenance of infrastructure and water-saving technologies.