PK Sindh On-Farm Water Management Project

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The Sindh On-Farm Water Management Project seeks to improve the efficiency, reliability, and equity of irrigation water distribution, support agricultural productivity enhancement to complement the benefits of improved water management, and, enhance long-term financial sustainability of the irrigation system, by fostering self- sustaining farmer organizations, at the watercourse, and distributary canal levels - a key element of the decentralized, and financially sustainable institutional apparatus - the Government of Sindh aims at establishing. Through its components the project will : 1) develop sustainable farmer organizations (FOs) who can effectively operate, and maintain the irrigation and drainage system, through social mobilization, and capacity building. Training and capacity building for watercourse associations (WCAs) and FOs will focus on operation and maintenance (O&M) and abiana (irrigation water charges) collection as well, to improve productivity. Irrigation and Drainage Management Transfer Agreements (IDMTAs) shall be concluded to define the terms of transfer, and roles and responsibilitiesof all parties. The WCAs and FOs will plan, design, and implement irrigation improvements, as well as provide agricultural support services; 2) improve irrigation facilities, which includes earthen improvements, lining, installation of concrete turnout culverts, community structures, cattle crossings and buffalo baths; and, construction of water storage tanks in the rain-fed areas, in addition to rehabilitation, and improvements to distributary canals; and, 3) disseminate a full range of improved water management, and irrigation agronomy practices, and techniques; training in improved water management, and new technology (land leveling, zero tillage, sprinkler and drip systems, etc.); integrated pest management, and Integrated Plant and Soil Nutrient Management (IPSNM), information systems, product marketing, etc. Monitoring and evaluation will be in place to support implementing agencies, while project management support shall include administrative, technical and financial management.