ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) board of directors has approved a $275 million loan to help build a surface irrigation system to increase agricultural production and improve food security in the Jhelum and Khushab districts. The project is expected to benefit 384,000 people. “Having a sufficient and effective irrigation system is fundamental for the development of Pakistan’s agriculture sector – a significant driver of the country’s economy,” said ADB Central and West Asia Department Principal Water Resources Specialist Ryutaro Takaku. “ADB’s support will help increase agricultural production and improve food security in Pakistan.” According to a statement issued on Friday, agriculture remains a crucial component of Pakistan’s economy, contributing 20% of gross domestic product and employing 42% of Pakistan’s total labour force in fiscal year 2015, with Punjab contributing more than 80% of agricultural output. Because of the country’s semi-arid climate, more than 90% of agriculture output depends on irrigation. Pakistan’s advantage is the Indus Basin Irrigation System, which draws water from the Indus River. However, about 20% of the country’s cultivable area including the project area is outside the Indus Basin Irrigation System. Farming in most of these areas is rain-fed, resulting in low agricultural productivity. Some of the country’s poorest people live in these areas and depend on agriculture for their income. Published in Daily Times, November 25th 2017.