Traditional persian wheel irrigation and sustainable adaptation of agro-pastoralist community on the North-Western Side of Indus River in District Swabi, Pakistan

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Research Paper 01/10/2018
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Traditional persian wheel irrigation and sustainable adaptation of agro-pastoralist community on the North-Western Side of Indus River in District Swabi, Pakistan

Amjad Ali, Sher Muhammad Malik, Mushtaq Ahmad Jan, Munazza Fatima, Mehtab Ahmed Khan
J. Bio. Env. Sci.13( 4), 225-237, October 2018.
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Abstract

Irrigation is the primary contributor of agriculture in arid climate. The traditional Persian Wheel irrigation is one of the oldest methods of irrigation in the study area. The use of modern technologies and mechanization in the agriculture sector pressurized the traditional practices methods of agriculture and irrigation. On the one hand, the tube well and private diesel engine water pump irrigation systems pressurized the usage of traditional Persian Wheel irrigation system while on the other hand, the land defragmentation, high cost associated with modern technologies, multi uses of draught animals and inherited traditions of the agro-pastoralist community encourage their uses. The present study explores the relationship between the use of traditional Persian Wheel irrigation and subsistence agricultural system. The existence of these traditional methods is the product of sustainable adaptation of agro-pastoralist community for low cost, subsistence economy, traditions and sustainable water utilization.

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