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Irrigation projects to bring about green
revolution: SIDA
HYDERABAD (April 06 2004): The execution of three
projects in irrigation sector would bring about a
green revolution in Sindh within next five years
as modernisation, revamping, improvement and
rehabilitation of one of the biggest irrigation
systems of the world would help in providing water
to tail-end users for cultivation of their land.
The projects would cost billions of rupees to be
provided by the federal and provincial governments
as well as the World Bank, and their completion
will not only be helpful of averting wastage of
water, but also provide irrigation water to the
tails of canals, said SIDA Managing Director
Professor Aijaz Qureshi, in an interview to a
panel of APP, here on Sunday.
It was the first time that such a huge amount has
been allocated for modernisation, revamping,
improvement and rehabilitation of the worn out
irrigation system of Sindh, while the Authority is
sharing a major role in achievement of these
tasks, he said.
Accompanied by social development specialist
Nazeer Essani and media communication specialist
Ghulam Nabi Mughal, Professor Aijaz Qureshi said
the modernisation programme of canals under the
National Drainage Programme (NDP), Revamping
Programme of the President and the Prime Minister,
and the World Bank-funded improvement and
rehabilitation of canals and watercourses would
soon be executed in Sindh.
He said the Authority would execute the
modernisation programme with Rs 300 million under
which the banks of about 100 minors, being
operated through farmers' organisations by Area
Water Boards of SIDA would be strengthened.
The programme is being funded by the National
Drainage Programme through assistance of the World
Bank, he said, adding de-silting of canals,
construction of buffalo willows and women's
washing spots along canals sides are the other
components of this programme.
The survey of this programme has been completed,
and the government has also released funds for
that purpose, he said, adding the work on this
programme would be executed after completion of
tender process.
Under the Revamping Programme of the President and
the Prime Minister, he said major canals of Sindh
would be revamped at a cost of Rs 15 billion to
improve the ramshackle irrigation system of the
province.
The Authority would share the work of Rs 1 billion
in this programme, which will also provide an
opportunity to construct bridges between two
villages situated parallel at the banks of the
canals besides, strengthening of banks, activation
of regulators, construction of buffaloes spots and
women's washing spots.
Under improvement and rehabilitation of canals and
watercourses, he said watercourses of the growers
would be lined, besides, laser land levelling and
construction of water storage tanks will be
carried out with Rs 5 billion.
Another mega project of water sector improvement
is in pipeline, under which major canals and
barrages of the province would be improved at an
estimated cost of Rs 10 billion, he said, adding
concept papers of this project have been approved
and soon the project would be awarded to Sindh.
Speaking about the formation and performance of
Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA),
Professor Aijaz Qureshi said the Authority was
established under SIDA Act in 1997 with the
objectives to involve the participation of
stakeholders in equitable distribution of water at
the tails of canals by forming the farmers
organisations, collection of irrigation water
charges from the users and spending of collected
amount on maintenance of canals by the farmers
organisations on their own.
About functioning and performance of farmers'
organisations, Professor Aijaz Qureshi said each
farmers organisation involved 300 to 400
stakeholders, and so far 50,000 to 60,000 of
stakeholders have been mobilised by activating 162
farmers organisations.
He said each farmers organisation has been engaged
in managing 5,000 to 10,000 acres of land, and as
a result of their efforts, water is now available
at the tails of canals.
The SIDA managing director had also initiated
effective action against those involved in water
tampering through installation of illegal lift
machines at the canals.
Recently, the Authority had cut off 48 such
illegal connections in Command Area of the Area
Water Management Board, Badin, which not only
saved 175 cusecs of water, but the tail-end users
were also getting sufficient water for their land
cultivation, he said and added that farmers
organisations are keenly observing the menace of
water tampering.
The performance of SIDA in canals' management has
highly been appreciated by the World Bank in its
recent report, he added.
Courtesy Business Recorder |
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Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
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