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.