Pakistan, Aug. 11 -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $8.32 million in financing to help Punjab improve its irrigation infrastructure and increase water availability for farming. This funding will prepare key projects for smoother implementation and quicker fund disbursement.

The money will support five priority projects identified by Punjab's government in 2019, focusing on upgrading irrigation systems. These projects aim to improve water use efficiency and raise agricultural productivity, which is crucial for reducing rural poverty and boosting the province's economy.

Punjab relies heavily on the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) to water 15 million hectares of land, with 60% located in the province. However, the syste...