Implications of Irrigation Water Crisis on Socio-economic Condition of Farmers in Faisalabad District, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Agriculture is an integral component of Pakistan economy as sixty five percent of the population resides in rural areas and their livelihood primarily depend on agriculture. Pakistan has the world largest contiguous irrigation system. Unfortunately, the farming community is facing severe water shortage. Prime objective of current study was to explore the effects of canal water crisis on the yield of major crops and its socio economic implications on farming community of District Faisalabad, Punjab-Pakistan. A study sample of 160 farmers household was selected through multistage sampling techniques. Results showed that irrigation water shortage directly affects farming community economically and they have to rely upon tube well water for crop survival. Therefore, an increase in farmer's expense was seen for purchasing fuel for tube well engine. Our findings also showed that socio-economic problems due to water crisis, such as the lower crop production, loss of soil fertility, decrease in cultivated area, increase in poverty and frustration badly affects the life of farming community.