All eyes are fixed on the development of Cholistan. Corporate farming is being considered. Canals are being planned to provide the much-needed sweet water.

Alarm bells have started to ring from the lower riparian farmers who fear acute shortage of water. Like other underdeveloped areas of the country, land and water are both available in abundance in Cholistan. While the soil is rich most ground water is brackish with small pockets of sweet water.

In the year 2008 a proposal was submitted to the Cholistan Development Authority (CDA) for development of ‘Jatropha Farms’ in Cholistan. The plant grows on marginal land with limited supply of water, the seeds produce oil with can be converted into biodiesel after esterification. Pakistan State Oil (PSO) had shown interest in procurement of this commodity.

Four credible industrial groups (Qarshi Industries, Seasons Canola, Irfan Foods, Midland Foods) had submitted a proposal for lease of land from CDA. Suitable parcels were identified. After thorough evaluation by the Agriculture Department, Planning and Development, Board of Revenue (BOR) summary was forwarded to the Chief Minister for approval.

Before signing the lease agreement, BOR requested the provincial department of energy to facilitate the process as BOR lacked the expertise to evaluate energy projects. A joint site visit was undertaken to select the available land parcel with instructions to department of energy........

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