SECOND LSI IMPROVEME

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The project will be the second phase in the nation-wide process to increase efficiency, cost effectiveness and sustainability of the large-scale irrigation (LSI) subsector which consists of nine irrigation systems covering a total of 485,000 ha, involving 125,000 farmers and contributing 20 percent of Morocco's total agricultural production. The project includes: (a) infrastructure rehabilitation, including reconstruction, repair or upgrading of canals, drains, feeder roads and pumping stations over the existing irrigated area; (b) institutional strengthening involving the nine Regional Authorities for Agricultural Development (ORMVAs) and the Directorate of Rural Equipment (DER) in the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (MARA) through provision of equipment, technical assistance and training to improve operation and maintenance (O&M) procedures, accounting methods and environmental protection, introduce performance monitoring and prepare policy reforms; (c) water use efficiency improvement through pilot demonstrations and on-farm investments; and (d) policy reforms to increase cost recovery, streamline relations between government, ORMVAs and farmers, adopt a long-term plan for rehabilitation, and revise LSI institutional framework.