Research and Development (R&D)

The effective with which the myriad actions with multiple dimensions are carried out to achieve the country's Water Vision, would depend upon the soundness with which the actions are conceive. This represents the need for information derived from research and whose practical applicability has been demonstrated. Research has been carried out and continues to be carried out by separate disciplines with a narrow focus without the full realization that the application of the research results has to pass through a technological stage and has to pass test of social acceptability. In this environment basic research has to be integrated with technological development and the consideration of sociological and economic aspects for putting the findings into practice.

 

There are many areas of research impacting on water development and its effective utilization, some of which such as desalinization of water or production of energy from unconventional sources require massive investments in research. Within the limited resources, in a country such as Pakistan, the research effort therefore has to be limited to the adoption of known research results through appropriate technologies using pilot programmes and demonstration project.

 

Core Objectives

 

The core objective in R&D can be stated as the networking of the existing research institutions to develop practical solutions to the problems in an integrated framework, while making the best use of the research results from around the word.

 

Strategies

 

The strategies which can be followed for an effective R&D initiative are:

 

• Redefining the roles of the existing research institutions so as to establish a complimentarily in their working
• Establishing networks of research institutes in specific research areas and assigning the lead role to the institute with the most comparative advantage.
• Developing research agendas which would support the FFA.
• Establishing a close coordination between the implementing agencies and research institutes.

 

Proposed Action

 

• Entrust to the PCRWR (Pakistan Council of Research in Water Research) the lead role for developing in cooperation with all development agencies, a National Research Agenda.
• Establish a limited number of research network for specific topics impacting on the FFA.