Monthly Meeting on SIAP Activities

The staff of PIDA held a meeting with the representatives of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to review the monthly progress on “Strengthening Irrigated Agriculture through Participatory Irrigation Management in Punjab” Project.

The meeting was attended by Head PMO PISIP, Ch. Muhammad Shafiq, General Manager (OP) Ch. Karamat Ali, General Manager (Finance) Asif Sohail, Dy. General Manager (TM) Najmus Saqib Rehmani, Dy. General Manager (SM) Shaiq Hussain Abidi, Manager(SM) Manzoor Ahmad Siddiqui, Manager (M&E) Rizwan Aslam and Manager (Finance) Fawad Ahmad from PIDA while Mr. Susumu Uciumi and Mr. Aslam Qureshi participated from JICA.

JICA and PIDA representatives discussing on SIAP

The meeting discussed in detail the FOs elections process in Lower Chenab Canal (West) Area Water Board and decided to direct the concerned Chief Executive to prepare the new voters lists within the period of two weeks. Likewise, a three months target for the completion of whole process of the formation of 67 FOs was set. While discussing the activities related to institutional reforms process, the meeting was told that Area Water Board elections at Bahawalanagar would be ensured within two months. The concerned quarters have already been directed to complete the arrangements for elections.  

The meeting, for the training and capacity building of FOs recommended to ensure the maximum participation of stakeholders in the training sessions. The meeting desired that the trainers should have more focus on the practical dimensions of irrigation management like record maintenance, Abiana collection mechanism and the technical aspects of water supply. The curriculum for the capacity building of FOs, prepared by JICA was also discussed. The meeting was told that the process for recruitment of PISIP staff is also underway. 

Visit of Managing Director PIDA in Japan

On the invitation of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mr. Irfan Elahi Managing Director PIDA visited Japan in 2^nd week of November 2011. The purpose of the visit was to introduce him water management system of Japan under the concept of public private partnership based on the participatory Irrigation Management.

MD PIDA observing the farmers's managed canals control system

The representatives of Japan Water Agency and Land Improvement Districts (Farmers Organizations in Japan) welcomed and introduced to him the rubber gate in Kikugawa city on the river to manage and operate the water supply to farm and city areas which was operated by varying air pressure. The MD observed that the banks of the river were protected by concrete.  The staff explained him the functions of Banba Reservoir which collects the surplus water and release to the canal when the water demand is increased. He was also explained the control of the canal system of Banba Reservoir through a central control system which receives the demand of water form LIDs and releases the water to farmers accordingly by operating the gates electronically.

The Managing Director also visited the green house owned by farming community involved in water management where a Japanese farmer while briefing told that water fee was not an issue for him but the diesel price was very serious for farm management. Later, the farmers’ managed tomato and rice processing units were also visited where the products of member farmers were processed on subsidized rates. He appreciated the well organized mechanism of irrigated agriculture in Japan and declared it a role model for Pakistan’s water and agriculture sector.         

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.