The Government of Balochistan has approved a large-scale hydroponics and horticulture initiative, with the first phase set to be implemented in 10 districts of the province as part of efforts to modernise agriculture and tackle water shortages.
The approval was granted during a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), chaired by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti in Quetta. Provincial cabinet members attended the session, while some participants joined remotely via video link.
According to officials, the project will introduce water-efficient hydroponic farming systems in selected districts during the initial phase. The government plans to expand the initiative gradually across the province if the pilot phase produces positive results.
Speaking at the meeting, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said that achieving higher agricultural yields with reduced water consumption is a critical challenge for Balochistan. He emphasised that modern farming technologies are essential to improving productivity and ensuring long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector.
“The use of advanced techniques such as hydroponics will create new economic opportunities for farmers and help strengthen Balochistan’s agriculture in the face of climate and water stress,” Bugti said.
The committee also reviewed progress on irrigation infrastructure and dam construction projects underway in various parts of the province. Officials provided updates on several schemes, including dams currently being built in Gwadar.
The chief minister directed that the Gwadar dam projects be utilised solely for drinking water, citing the city’s worsening water crisis caused by below-average rainfall over the past two years.
He instructed the relevant departments to expedite construction work on the dams to ensure timely completion and provide immediate relief to Gwadar’s residents.
