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.