Sustainable management-Khushab, Pakistan

Context:

In Northern Pakistan and dependent on irrigation and agriculture.

Challenges:

1. Irrigation has not been managed well (has led to water-logging and a rise in the water-table)
2. As the water-table rises it brings up the soluble salts to the surface 
3. These salts are toxic to plants
4. 8,000 families incomes dwindled as agricultural productivity declined 

Solution:

• World Bank has invested $69million to reduce the water-logging and salinisation
• Installed PVC pipes to allow drainage underground
• Irrigation ditches have been lined to prevent seepage into the fields
• Farms are used to educate farmers about sustainable water management

Successful?

• Reduced water-logging by 50% in 2 years
• Improved incomes per capita from $46 in 1989 to $195 in 2005
• The average family is now 34% above the official poverty line.