Punjab Province

Lahore | Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan

Rawalpindi | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Agriculture Department has launched the second phase of its mini-dam project in the rain-fed Potohar region, aiming to improve irrigation and strengthen the productive use of agricultural land through the construction of 150 mini dams across Rawalpindi division by June 30, 2027.

Part of a three-year Agriculture Transformation Plan, the initiative offers farmers a 70 per cent subsidy, with financial assistance of Rs1.75 million for each mini dam. The first phase delivered 111 mini dams during the previous fiscal year.

Launched under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s initiative for Potohar, the project focuses on storing rainwater for agricultural use. More dependable access to water is expected to help landowners sustain crops and orchards beyond the rainy season and make better use of cultivable land affected by seasonal water shortages.

From a land-use perspective, the project could expand the range of agricultural activities that participating farms can support. Stored water may enable farmers to develop orchards, grow higher-value crops and introduce fish farming alongside existing cultivation, subject to local conditions and water availability.

The mini dams are also expected to help prevent soil erosion and reduce damage caused by floodwater. These measures could protect fertile topsoil and preserve the productive capacity of agricultural holdings, while improved groundwater recharge may offer additional benefits for surrounding farmland.

For agricultural property owners and prospective buyers, access to reliable irrigation is an important consideration when assessing a holding’s productive potential. However, the reported project details provide no evidence of an increase in land prices or any change in land-use permissions.

The initiative is intended to support agriculture and related rural livelihoods, including horticulture, fish farming and dairy farming. Its practical benefits for individual holdings will depend on rainfall, storage capacity, site conditions and the management of available water.

Local growers have welcomed the project. Farmers Afzal Ali and Faizan said the mini dams would improve water supplies for crops and orchards throughout the year. They added that the reservoirs could be used to raise fish for household consumption and could attract aquatic birds.

The second phase will extend rainwater storage infrastructure across Rawalpindi division, with the potential to improve farm productivity and protect agricultural land in a region heavily dependent on rainfall.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan