LCC(West) Area Water Board Meeting at Faisalabad

The Chairman Area Water Board, Lower Chenab Canal (West) Circle Faisalabad Malik Shamsher Khan has advised the AWB members to actively monitor the activities of canal managemen so the irrigation infrastructure could remain sustainable. It was stated by him addressing the 7^th  Area Water Board meeting in which General Manager (OP) Ch. Karamat Ali, Chief Executive LLC(West) AWB Inayat Ullah Cheema, concerned Executive Engineers/FO Administrators and the Managers participated.

The Chairman formed a works committee headed by Vice Chairman AWB which will monitor all the rehabilitation works on distributaries. He also said to the FO Administrators to inform the works committee about the details of repair & maintenance works  for the effective monitoring.

While reviewing the status of Abiana, the General Manager (OP) advised to collect  75%  amount of Rabi crop season 2010-11. The meeting also decided to ensure 100% Abiana collection against each crop within due course of time. He maintained that the farmers have been given participation in irrigation management to improve Abiana recovery, repair & maintenance of canals and equitable distribution of water  to gain increase in agro production.

Progress Review Meeting on PISIP-SIAP Activities

A delegation of Japan International Cooperation Agency held a meeting with PIDA management to review the progress on different activities under Punjab Irrigation System Improvement Project started on three different sites. The JICA delegation was consisting on Ms. Kayama Mitsuru and Mr. Amir Bukhari while Deputy General Manager (TM ) Najmus Saqib Rehmani, Deputy General Manager (SM) Shaiq Hussain Abdi and Manager (SM/Trainings) Manzoor Ahmed Siddiqui attended from PIDA.

The meeting was told that the institutional reforms activities in DG Khan, Bahawalnagar and Faisalabad are under way according to the scheduled time frame.  The formation process of FOs has been completed in all the selected areas and the irrigation management also has been transferred. The capacity building of FOs program is underway. The JICA delegation expressed satisfaction over the reforms process and urged that the FOs be given technical assistance more vigorously so that they could manage the irrigation system independently.    

Use of Digital Technology for Irrigation Water Saving

PIDA will utilize modern digital technology to sensitize farmers about various water saving techniques and increase in the per acre yield. For this purpose, Japan International Cooperation Agency has agreed to provide necessary support and technical assistance to PIDA for augmenting the water saving drive through farmers organizations.

It was decided in a meeting among PIDA officers and JICA representatives while reviewing the progress of "Strengthening Irrigated Agriculture through Participatory Irrigation Management" Project. The meeting observed that the expert use of modern digital technology was need of the hour. The FOs can play a remarkable role for the introduction of water saving technologies by mobilizing the farmers in their areas. The JICA representative Mr. Kanamori told the meeting that he had prepared a documentary for the farmers which would be shown to sensitize them about various methods of water conservation during agriculture activities.

Elections of CRBC FOs at Taunsa

PIDA has announced the elections schedule of 30 Fos  in Chashma Right Bank Canal circle at Taunsa,D G Khan after the approval of Managing Director. The FOs at CRBC have completed their three years tenure and now the arrangements are being made for the second tenure. The General Manager (TM ) Syed Faiz Muhayud Din has issued instructions to the concerned staff to complete the whole process of elections as per scheduled time so that the FOs be transferred irrigation management. 

Advance Trainings for Management Committees of FOs Completed

The Training & Capacity Building Cell of Lower Chenab Canal (East) Area Water Board,  Faisalabad has successfully completed  the AdvanceTrainings program for the Management committees of Farmers Organizations. Under this program, the Training cell conducted 21 training sessions in which all the  management committees members of Fos participated. The participants were given lectures on  technical and revenue matters including the principles of canal management in detail.

The Chief Executive LCC (East) AWB and Mr. Susumu Uciumi, JICA representative also visited the training session at Bhagat canal rest house and appreciated the interest of the participants in training program.

Earlier, PIDA has also provided the Foundation Trainings to the General Body members of all theFOs. It is expected that all the Farmers Organizations would be better able to perform their functions under participatory irrigation management model. 

Progress Review Meeting at Sargodha

The General Manager (Op) Ch. Karamat Ali convened a progress review meeting with the administrators of six under reforms distributaries at Lower Jehlum Canal Circle Sargodha.  The FOs of these distributaries have completed their three years tenure and now being controlled by administrators.

While discussing the progress, the General Manager was informed that the overall progress of 5 FOs out of 6 has been very good. These FOs have collected 93% Abiana amount during their three years tenure.  The General Manager observed that the progress of Abiana collection on Hujjan distributary was not up to the mark (72% for Kharif 2010 and 48% for Rabi 2010-11). He directed the concerned Administrator to coordinate with the concerned staff and ensure 85% and 80% Abiana collection of the both crops respectively.

The meeting also discussed in detail the status of water delivery and tails position. The water supply and the condition of outlets were found accurate according to the produced record. The tail position for last Kharif crop was perused and it was observed that all the tails were running as per authorized discharge.

The General Manager (Op) also discussed the audit observations related to the FOs and directed the Chief Executive LJC to look into the matter and do the needful for the betterment of participatory irrigation management system. He also expressed his serious concerns over the poor performance of revenue staff attached with FOs from PID and directed to take the strict action. To recover the pending Abiana amounts, the Ch. Karamat Ali advised that the cooperation of Police and Civil Administration may be sought.           

Operationalization of FOs in LBDCIP Sahiwal

Punjab Irrigation & Drainage Authority has constituted as many as 51 Farmers Organizations in Lower Bari Doab Canal System. These FOs will be responsible for the maitaining of canals in their respective areas under public private partnership.

In this regard, a departmental meeting was held in the office of PIDA with General Manager (TM) Syed Faiz Muhayudin in the Chair. Among others,General Manager (OP) Ch. Karamat Ali, General Manager (Finance) Asif Sohail, Deputy General Manager(TM) NajmusSaqib Rehmani, Deputy General Manager (SM) Shaiq Hussain Abdi and the Project Director Lower Bari Doab Canal Improvement Project Syed Mehmood ul Hasan Shah also attended the meeting.

The meeting held a detailed review of arrangements of transferring irrigation management to the farmers organizations in the LBDC system. The Program Director LBDCIP briefed the meeting about operationalization of FOs and told that agreement-deeds of Irrigation Management Transfer have been arranged. Similarly, arrangements of the setting-up of offices for FOs and provision of staff have also been completed. The meeting proposed that Irrigation Management Units of FOs in the Area Water Board of LBDC should be constituted in such a way which could provide the maximum benefite to the farmers.

The meeting expressed the satisfaction that the public private partnership has given confidence to the farmers and now they are fully involved in the irrigation management.

JICA appreciates PIDA efforts on water saving technologies

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will continue the financial and technical cooperation with Punjab for the improvement of irrigation system to fulfill the water needs of irrigators.

it was stated by the representative of JICA Mr. Dysokay Kawata in a meeting held in the office of Punjab Irrigation & Drainage Authority. the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress on the program "Introduction of Water Saving Technologies" launched in Punjab for the better management of irrigation water.

The meeting was attended by the Technical Advisor JICA Muhammad Aslam Qureshi, Deputy General Manager(TM) PIDA NajmusSaqib Rehmani, Deputy General Manager(SM) Shaiq Hussain Abdi, the representatives of Development Consultant Services and the officers of Agriculture Department.

Mr. Kawata told the meeting that JICA is preparing necessary training material for farmers to sensitize them about the water saving technologies which would be delivered soon. The training material will help the farmers to successfully practice the water saving technologies on sustainable basis to curtail water shortage. He also appreciated the implementation mechanism of PIDA for the said program and ensured to continue the cooperation of JICA for the welfare of farmers.  

The Technical Advisor JICA Muhammad Aslam Qureshi told that Water Saving Technologies Program has been launched in Faisalabad, DG Khan and Bahawalanagardistricts at three distrbutaries on pilot basis where PIDA teams are introducing the laser land leveling, bed & furrow, sprinkle, tunnel and drip irrigation system through demonstration. Besides 50 percent water saving through latest technologies, farmer's income also has increased due to enhanced agro production.   

Training of Trainers Courses for PIDA Staff

On the direction of Managing Director PIDA, a training of trainers course was organized with the technical cooperation of Japan International Cooperation Agency to apprise the training staff of PIDA about the changes brought into the curriculum for the capacity building of Farmers Organizations.

The TOT course was attended by the training staff of all Area Water Boards. The Technical Advisor JICA Muhammad Aslam Qureshi participated in the workshop as resource person. The irrigation expert of JICA Mr. Susumu Uciumi also attended the workshop. Likewise, another hands on practice training course was also conducted in the Area Water Board of Lower Bari Doab canal Sahiwal.  

  

Up gradation of Awareness Raising Material

The General Manger (TM) has desired to up grade the awareness raising material which has already been prepared by PIDA and Social & Environmental Management Unit. The purpose to up grade the awareness raising material is to keep it more relevant with the needs of stakeholders. The GM (TM) has instructed all the concerned officers to prepare their suggestions individually in the light of their experiences while implementing the projects. The said material will also be available on PIDA website.

Status of Abiana Collection under Participatory Irrigation Management

On the direction of Managing Director PIDA, the General Manager (Op) Ch. Karamat Ali launched an Abiana recovery campaign in the areas of Farmers Organizations which has shown remarkable results. The members of Famers Organization, Khal Panchayts, Area Water Boards and the staff of PIDA put their efforts to make the recovery campaign successful.

As per briefing given to Managing Director, the total collection of Abiana in under reforms areas is Rs. 1144 million out of Rs. 1766 million which is 65 % of the total assessed amount. The progress of overall collection is encouraging and shows the interest of farmers in participatory irrigation management. While explaining the details of Abiana collection, the General Manager (Op) told that Rs. 684million have been collected out of Rs. 1039 million in the Area Water Board of Lower Chenab Canal (East) Circle. Likewise, there have been collected Rs. 320 million out of Rs. 476 million in Lower Chenab Canal (West) Area Water Board. The status of Abiana collection in Lower Jehlum Canal circle is very encouraging where the FOs have collected more than 90% amount. The Four Farmers Organizations of Bahawalnagar Canal Circle also have collected 75% amount which in aggregate is Rs. 93 million against the assessment of Rs. 123 million. The overall condition of Abiana collection in Dera Jaat Canal Circle remained worst where the Abiana amount could only be collected Rs. 11 million out of 88 million. The instructions have been issued to the concerned staff and FOs for the maximum collection by the management.  

JICA’S Support of SIAP to Help Enhance Agri-Production

Scientific means for efficient use of canal water and its equitable distribution is very useful in gaining better

agro-productivity but for that, it is equally important that the farmers should play a proactive role in making the irrigation sector reforms a real success.  In this regard, Punjab Irrigation & Drainage Authority (PIDA) is helping the farmers through many useful interventions aiming at increasing the farmers’ role in management affairs of water channels.

This was stated by General Manager PIDA, Syed Zahid Ali while addressing a meeting to review the progress on “Strengthening Irrigated Agriculture through participatory management in Punjab” (SIAP) project at Area Water Board of Lower Chenab Canal (West) Circle on Sunday. The project was being implemented with the cooperation of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Chairman Area Water Board Malik Shamsher Khan, Chief Executive Inayat Ullah Cheema, besides PIDA high ups were also present. The meeting reviewed in detail the progress of SIAP Project and hoped that it will help to enhance agro-productivity by adopting the latest water saving techniques. 

GM PIDA Zahid Ali told that comprehensive campaign was in progress to train the farmers about the efficient use of canal water and added that mobilization teams have been deputed to educate farmers in their respective areas. Agri-Engineer SIAP, Mian Usman told that the process of laser land leveling at an area of 192 acres in Pubber Wala Distributary has been completed. Farmers have deposited 20 percent upfront cost of the project while the remaining 80 percent expenditures have been borne out by the government. Similarly, Rs.2.13 lakh have been collected for the installation of drip irrigation system by the farmers, he added.

GM PIDA further said that all the developmental activities should be completed well in time. Likewise, work on Bed & Furrow should also be started soon so that the process of canal water management could be further encouraged.

Meeting between PIDA and JICA Delegation on PISIP

The close cooperation and technical assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will help to improve and strengthen the irrigation system in Punjab which is the backbone of the country because of its importance in providing canal water for crops.

This was stated by General Manager Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (PIDA) Syed Zahid Ali while talking to a JICA delegation headed by Miss Mitsurokayama. Other members of the delegation included Aamir Bokhari, Mr. Kuzono and the consultants of the projects. The objective of the meeting was to review the Punjab Irrigation System improvement project launched in collaboration with JICA.

While giving a brief of irrigation sector reforms, the GM PIDA said that area water boards have been constituted on 6 main canal commands besides, setting up Khal-Panchayts and Farmer Organizations. The Farmer Organizations have started their second tenure in the lower chanab canal (east) while in the western circle, FOs have completed their first tenure and election arraignments are in process for the second phase.

The PIDA GM further informed that comprehensive programme was being implemented for the training of FOs. 20 out of 100 in LCC (East), 44 out of 103 in Bahawalnagar canal circle and 22 out of 116 training programmes in Dera Jaat circle have been completed. Besides this, laser land leveling and bed and furrow as well as sprinkling system for the conservation of irrigation water has been introduced in Bahawalnagar, Faisalabad and D.G Khan, concluded the GM PIDA Syed Zahid Ali.  

General Manager (OP) PIDA Spoke on Desertification Day

The General Manager (Op) PIDA Ch. Karamat Ali participated in the program of Radio Pakistan Lahore Center to celeberate the Waorld Desertification Day and expressed his views regarding the upcoming water scarcity and its adverse impacts on the country. The Program, broadcasted on June 17, 2011 was recorded in Punjabi language to apprise the rural community about the efforts of the governement to cope with the desertification.  

Revamping of PIDA Website

PIDA has decided to revamp its website with the cooperation of Punjab Information Technology Board. During the first meeting, the layout of the home page was discussed and necessary ammendments in the existing page were decided. The instructions to field staff of PIDA  also have been issued to collect the latest information at earliest. 

42nd PIDA Authority Meeting

The Punjab Irrigation & Drainage Authority has decided to extend the duration of Farmers Organizations from three to five years to help improve their performance and enable them to effectively manage the canal system.  It was decided in 42^nd PIDA Authority meeting held on 25.05.2011 chaired by Minister Irrigation Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh.

Besides many others, the meeting was attended by the Managing Director Malik Rab Nawaz, General Manager (TM), Syed Zahid Ali, General Manager (OP) Ch. Karamat Ali, General Manager (Finanace) Asif Sohail, Farmer Members Rana Abdul Rahman, Javed Hasan Gujjar, Rana Mubasher Iqbal, Ali Haidar Noor Khan Niazi, the representatives of Finance, P&D and Agriculture Departments.

The meeting decided that the audit of farmer organizations would be completed during their tenure and approved the seed money amounting to Rs. 125,000 for the FOs of Bahawalanagar Area Water Board to meet the operation and maintenance needs of irrigation channels. The Authority also decided to appoint the Registrar at PIDA and AWB level.

The meeting referred the issue of special deputation allowance of officers working in PIDA on deputation and the communication allowance of officers of BPS 17/18 to sub-committee.  It was also decided to frame the auction rules of PIDA for the disposal of obsolete items. The meeting favored that the sub-committee constituted for making necessary amendments in PIDA tendering system may submit its recommendations in the next meeting.   

Implementation of Water Conservation Strategy in Pakistan-Options & Possibilities

By: Engineer Syed Zahid Ali

Pakistan is lucky to be endowed with the endless bounties of Almighty Allah and water is one of them. The rivers coming from the high peaks of Karakaram and Himalayan hills are a major source of providing sufficient quantity of water for continuously running the irrigation system which is proudly claimed to be the world’s most contiguous system of its kind serving the human being for more than hundred years.

The irrigation infrastructure of Pakistan is the backbone of agriculture sector as it is providing water for 22 million hector area for aricultural purposes. Water is as much important for Pakistan as oil is for Gulf countries. Out of this 22 million hector area, around 19 million hectors are irrigated through canal water while the rest of the area is irrigated through other resources like rain water.

Agriculture sector has the main say in the GDP with a total share of 25% while 50% of the labor class ekes out its livelihood from the agriculture sector. However, it is all the more important to note that continuous flow of water is required so that agriculture sector could yield desired results. Keeping in view this objective, Punjab Government has deputed Irrigation & Power Department to initiate suitable strategy so that the water needs of farmers, especially at tail ends, could be fully met. The experiences and research in irrigation sector in Punjab shows that the water needs of farmers are increasing. The institutional reforms process requires further impetus and comprehensive overhauling and restructuring to cope with the rising water needs.

This has resulted in the setting up of the vital institution of Punjab Irrigation & Drainage Authority (PIDA). It is important to note that this institution is unique in the sense that it has encouraged the farmers to take part in the decision making process of irrigation management. This initiative, although new in the sub continent, is quite popular in the other developing countries like Turkey, Mexico, India and Philippine. Meanwhile, developed countries like Japan, USA, Australia and some other countries have also initiated this participatory irrigation management approach to enhance agro-productivity as well as to minimize the non-development costs on irrigation system. This philosophy is helpful to realize the farmers that they are equal partners in maintaining the irrigation infrastructure in public interest.

Pakistan is blessed with a rich monsoon season which usually occurs during the months of July to September. As 70% monsoon rains during these three months, it is therefore all the more important that this rain water should be stored in properly built reservoirs which could later on provide water to the farmers according to their demands. However, the lack of adequate infrastructure of water reservoirs results in loss of 30 to 40% river water every year. This very critical situation requires very drastic steps including availability of water at tail ends, minimizing the loss of canal water and to involve the farming community in repair and maintenance of water channels. This could only be done through adopting the institutional reforms approach with a facility for the farmers to include their proposals in the improvement of service delivery. PIDA has helped to achieve these goals.

A close view of PIDA shows that it could be a successful model of public private partnership provided it is well maintained and well managed. The Punjab Irrigation Department, in the meantime, has launched different mega projects to improve and upgrade the existing infrastructure with the cooperation of international development agencies. In this perspective, Japan International Cooperation Agency has provided Rs. 17,804 million for the rehabilitation of Lower Chenab Canal System, the Asian Development Bank has contributed Rs. 17,178 million for the improvement of Lower Bari Doab Canal System while the World Bank has provided Rs. 8,000 million for the restructuring of Jinnah Barrage and Islam Head Works. Likewise, the Asian Development Bank has also agreed to provide $ 650 million for the completion of ongoing irrigation improvement projects in Punjab. The Punjab Government also has launched a project to introduce the water saving techniques on three different sites to improve the irrigation supply at farm level with the assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency.  

It is important to highlight that Pakistani Irrigation system was sufficient for 60% irrigation intensity way back in 1947, while today, this intensity has reached to 130%. During the last 64 years, China and India have built up 55 and 64 new dams respectively while Pakistan could built only two dams in the meantime, and the storage capacity of both the dams has decreased to 30% due to storage of silt.  

It is worthy to note that Pakistan Government has launched different programs which included raising of Mangla Dam, construction of Gomal Zem Dam, Greater Thal Canal, Raini Canal, Kachchi Canal, Mirani Dam, Sat Blera Dam, Subkzai Dam and many other small level projects which will be helpful in providing water for 32,39,882 acres of land.

According to a recent WAPDA report, 5 million acre feet water could be saved by lining of water courses while 3.5 million acre feet would be saved through improvement of water courses. This necessitates the need of encouraging equitable and efficient use of water by farming community. Media and Public Forum Bodies should also play an active role in this agenda of improving irrigation infrastructure to provide water for agriculture needs.

While Pakistan is facing acute shortage of water as a result of blatent violations of the Indus Water Treaty by India through building  of 64  low and high dams on all the six rivers and their tributaries which has exceeded the allowable storage limit of 4.19 Million Acre Feet fixed in the treaty. Pakistan has failed to take necessary steps to store and utilize its water asset for farming. Indian dams have created 10 MAF of dead storage and 25-30 MAF of live storage, thus depriving Pakistan of its water rights for Rabi and Kharif crops. US Senator John Kerry has openly stated that Pakistan and India could go to war on the issue of water. As Punjab is situated next to India, therefore, it is the evident victim of Indian water aggression against Pakistan. Moreover it is the major crop producer of the whole country and any loss of water share will have a direct impact on Agriculture in Punjab. This very serious situation requires prudent handling of the issue by our policy makers.  It is proposed by the hydraulic experts that Katzarah dam near Skardu should be built as it would enhance the expected life of downstream dams and barrages including Terbela and Diamer/Bhasha dams. Similarly Guroh Dop dam on Panjkora river near Chitral will store 7-8 MAF water every year.

The IPD has taken up the matter and it is working to use the available water on sustainable basis. It is expected that construction of Kala Bagh Dam would help to resolve the water scarcity issue largely. We need to understand that water is life and no nation can survive without provision of sustainable system of water.

It is suggested that the Government of Pakistan should adopt a holistic approach to implement the water conservation strategy by involving all the federating units in which the farming community should be convinced to adopt the latest water saving technologies including immediate construction of major water reservoirs.

Monitoring of FOs Advance Training by JICA at Bahawalnagar

The Chief Advisor of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for Strengthening Irrigated Agriculture through Participatory Irrigation Management in Punjab Project (SIAP) Mr. Uchiuimi Susumu held a field visit at Bahawalnagar to observe the Advance Training for management committees’ members of newly established FOs.

The Advance Trainings are a part of PIDA’s training and capacity building program for FOs at their IMT unit level. The basic purpose of these trainings is to educate the participants about the need of institutional reforms, their role and duties in participatory irrigation management model and the different functions of FOs in terms of accounting, technical, revenue and the general management of FOs including operational work of distributaries. The Advance Training program has been started from April 2011 and will remain continued as per approved schedule in which training sessions are being conducted on convenient places for the participants for two days.

The JICA representative in his findings has reported that the coordination among training staff was very good and the trainers showed respect towards participants which was very much impressive. The questions of the participants were answered very effectively and the trainers were well prepared for their lectures.

The attitude of participants during the both days was highly appreciable as 80 percent participants attended the training even in the wheat harvest season. Almost, each participant put his share by commenting, questioning and confirming about different issues. They were highly enthusiastic to run the participatory irrigation system and eager to learn everything which could be helpful for running their FOs. The JICA representative expressed his satisfaction on the overall management of training in term of facilities, contents and the training methodology. He suggested that the training material should be provided to all the participants besides the FO Presidents.  

  

Documentary on Irrigation Sector Reforms

	PIDA and APNA News TV Channel has prepared a news package/documentary on Participatory Irrigation Manaegement. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO_Wdi1W71U

 

Zonal Workshops for Environmental Conservation

The Social & Environmental Management Unit (SEMU) organized two workshops as a part of the training and capacity building program for Engineers to enable them meet the environmental challenges while implementing the irrigation projects. The first workshop was conducted in the committee room of Directorate of Land Reclamation Lahore and the second in the office of Chief Engineer Irrigation Zone Faisalabad. There were thirty participants in the both workshops including Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers and Assistant Executive Engineers.

Both the workshops were started with the inaugural sessions of the respective Chief Engineers. The Chief Engineers appreciated the work of SEMU in providing technical support in social and environmental risk assessment and management for irrigation and drainage projects. They urged the canal officers to give importance and priority while designing and executing the projects.

In the workshops, the Director SEMU briefed the participants about the progress and achievements due to the implementation of guidelines which have been developed to mitigate the socio environmental challenges of irrigation projects. The trainers dwelled upon the supplementary checklists for the identification of social and environmental issues and the guidelines to mitigate them. The trainers also shared their field experiences with the participants and answered their questions. During the workshops, the participants were also provided an opportunity to discuss the issues of surface water pollution and how to manage it in collaboration with Environmental Protection Department. At the end, the participants were also shown a documentary highlighting the environmental issues of River Ravi.    

A message on World Water Day

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Administrators Appointed in LCC (West) Area Water Board Faisalabad

PIDA has appointed the Executive Engineers of Irrigation Department in the Area Water Board of Lower Chenab Canal (West) Circle Faisalabad as Administrators after the expirey of three years tenure of Farmers Organizations. It was decided in a meeting in the office of said Area water Board preseided by General Manager (OP) Ch. Karamat Ali. 
The Administrators will manage the water channels as per PIDA rules till the formation of new Farmers Organizations in the whole Area Water Board.  

Three Years Tenure of Farmers Organization in Sargodha and Faisalabad Completed

The Managing Director PIDA Malik Rab Nawaz has accorded the approval to dissolve 67 Farmers Organizations in the Area Water Board of Lower Chenab Canal (West) Circle Faisalabad and 6 in Lower Jehlam Canal Circle Sargodha after the completion of three years tenure as per Irrigation Management Transfer Agreement. 

The General Manager (TM) Syed Zahid Ali has directed the Chief Executives of both Area Water Boards to prepare the elections schedule on priority basis for the early formation of new FOs. The Chief Executives will also notify the "Administrators" as a temporary arrangement for the canal operations during the interim period. He also has instructed to freeze the bank accounts of these FOs with immediate effect. However, the bank accounts may be operated with the prior approval of concerned Superitending Engineer,Canal Circle for the expenses against staff salaries and other works of emergent nature.

It is necessary to mention here that the staff of FOs will remain intact to ensure the safe custody of the record and also to keep in the ready condition for audit purpose.Likewise, The instructions to plan the mechanism for the collection of unrecovered Abiana (water charges) amount also have neen issued.

Training & Capacity Building Program for Farmers Organizations

PIDA has initiated the training program for the capacity building of newly established Farmers Organizations. The training program has been started in the Area Water Boards of Lower Chenab Canal ( East), Bahawalnagar and Dera Jaat Canals Circles. After the training sessions,  it is expected that the Farmers Organizations would be able to manage their distributary canals independently especially in the technical, revenue and office management affairs. The FOs will also be able to curtail water theft and the repair & maintenance of water channels on self help basis.
The General Manager (TM) Syed Zahid Ali has instructed the concerned staff to implement the training plan as per approved plan and ensure the maximum attendence of participants.

Talk Shows on Radio Pakistan

PIDA has coordinated four Radio Program from Lahore center during April, 2011 to disseminate the achievements of Farmers Organizations under Participatory Irrigation System. The General Manager (Operation) Ch. Karamat Ali and Deputy General Manager (Social Mobilization) Syed Shaiq Hussain Abdi participated in the talk shows and explained the farmers managed irrigation system in detail. Likewise, PIDA has also requested Radio Lahore to broadcast at least two such programs during May,2011.

Documentary on Farmers Managed Irrigation System

PIDA and APNA News TV will prepare a documentary/news package to hi light the impact of Participatory Irrigation System. The documentary will help to encourage the Farmers Organizations as they are making efforts to control water theft, water rates(Abiana) collection and the water supply upto tails of canals equitably.   

Training Workshop in Faisalabad

PIDA conducted a training workshop for the capacity building of newly costituted 67 Farmers Organization in Lower Chenab Canal Circle Faisalaabad. The General Manager (Operations) PIDA Ch. Karamat Ali, Dean Faculty of Agri Engineering University of Agriculture Faisalabad Professor Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad and Chief Executive of LCC (East) Area Water Board Ch. Asghar Hameed delivered the lectures. The workshop was also attended by the concerned PIDA and PID staff. The participants appreciated the contents and training methodology of the wokshop and ensured their cooperation for the success of Participatory Irrigation System.  

Operationalization of Area Water Board in Bahawalnagar

PIDA has oparationalised the Area Water Board in Bahawalnager Canal Circle. The First meeting of the AWB has been conducted on April 20, 2011. The General Manager (OP) Ch. Karamat Ali chaired the meeting.