New Delhi, Dec 10 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today called for greater synergy between agriculture and water policies to achieve four percent agriculture growth which he said is the top priority of the government.

Addressing the fifth Asian Regional conference of the International Commission on Irrigation and dranage here, Dr. Singh said: “This is necessary to secure adequate food supply specially to the poor and vulnerable people through more efficient use of water.”An expansion of irrigation and improvement in irrigation efficiency are key not only for improving agriculture productivity but for sustainable use of water as well,” he addedDr Singh said with estimates suggesting that world food demand could double in the next two decades, there would be huge demand of water.

He said that challenges with regard to stress on scarce water resources are more pressing in Asia than any other region of the world.

Referring to the National Water Mission launched by the government as part of the action plan on climate change, Dr Singh said the main objective behind this mission is increasing water use efficiency by 20 percent and focussed attention on over exploited areas.

“The challenge of managing our water resources in a rational and sustainable manner will thus require action on many fronts and coordination across different sectors of the economy,” he said. (ANI)