He was inaugurating a day-long seminar on `Water and Agriculture Campaign: Possibilities of Development and Problems' on Tuesday. Organised by the GSFC Science Foundation and the Saurashtra Maitri Manch, a forum of voluntary organisations, the seminar aimed to discuss ways to optimise water utilisation and thereby increase agricultural production.

Addressing more than 150 representatives from all over the State, the chief minister said if the NGOs could administer the dams and make for equitable distribution of water, the State Government would bear the maintenance costs.

Admitting that the improper use of water was one of the administration's biggest headaches, Patel said the State Government alone would not be able to solve the problem. He urged voluntary organisations to play an important role on the issue, saying their suggestions, as well as concrete programmes, were welcome.

Despite the water shortage, the resource continued to be misused, the chief minister said, alleging that agriculture in Kheda and South Gujarat used up more water than necessary. He suggested that foreign technologies be adapted to Indian conditions for the desired results.

In his address, GSFC Science Foundation executive director M H Mehta highlighted the need for a water and agriculture-oriented campaign in the State. ``Gujarat needs such a campaign'', he said, adding that the Sardar Sarovar Project would leave many parts of the State untouched. Both micro- and macro-level planning needed to be given equal importance, Mehta said, adding that the 17 rivers in South Gujarat, 70 rivers in Saurashtra and 100 rivers in Kutch had to be utilised in the best possible manner.

Earlier, in his welcome address, GSFC chairman K D Jeswani said that so far as water management was concerned, India still had not been able to utilise the available resources. Underlining the need to make up the damage to the environment, he said voluntary organisations could play an important role in the agriculture and water management sectors.

Jeswani said the GSFC was working on a technique to utilise agro-industrial waste. The technique would be put into application shortly, he added.

SMM chairman Vidyut Joshi spoke about people's participation in water management. Other representatives of voluntary organisations also took part in the discussion. During the seminar, the chief minister released a directory of voluntary organisations brought out by the SMM.

In her address, Mayor Bharti Vyas said the Vadodara Municipal Corporation was looking out for new avenues to tackle solid waste.

Among those who attended the seminar were Collector Anil Mukim, GSFC managing director Gurucharan Singh and Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Administration) H S Patel.