WB-funded Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation pilot project for modernization of canals will bring about prosperity and major economic change – Team leader Francois Onimus
By Rehan Khan Khushik
Badin, Sindh
World Bank Task Team leader Francois Onimus said on Tuesday that WB-funded Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) pilot project for modernization of canals is not a traditional one, but will bring about prosperity and major economic change and development in agriculture sector for Pakistan.
He was speaking to the irrigation officials of Sindh and Punjab and local communities, particularly the Farmers’ Organization (FO) at Jarki distributary in Badin district.
Francois Onimus emphasized direct and indirect stakeholders for mutual consensus on valued Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation project.
The WB experts, irrigation officials and the representatives of Farmers’ Organization discussed the Hydraulic and other key features intended to modernize the infrastructure for the socio economic development in various parts of the country.
Chairman Farmers’ Organizations Pir Bux Chang, Vice Chairman Ghulam Qadir Leghari, Secretary Rashid Ahmed, Treasure Allah Bachayo Lashari and the members Mohammad Urs and Allah Yar Awan were motivated by Dr. Charles Burt, Chairman ITRC-Irrigation Training Research Center California. Ahmed Junaid Memon UN FAO program Manager, Umer Karim UN FAO representative and other representatives of Sindh Irrigation Drainage Authority (SIDA) were present during the visit of Jarki minor/regulator.
Earlier, the Village communities and Farmers’ Organization raised various issues and objections about water shortages and improper distribution of irrigation water for agriculture purpose. Political and official coordination was also briefly discussed with the WB team and ITRC trainers.
The Farmers’ Organization delegation told that 80 villages are in the Jarki minor/regulator, which are suffering heavily because of improper distribution of irrigation water. They raised few objections.
Later, Dr. Charles Burt, other officials and stake holders satisfied the Farmers Organization’s representatives for mutual understanding over the common interest.
Dr. Charles Burt informed the Farmers’ Organizations that after the implementation of pilot project, the Water Board will remain aware and involved during up and down stream water and official chart levels. He added that the agreement will be signed by WB SWAT project between Farmers Organizations (FO) and SIDA officials.
He informed that SIDA officials are bound to inform the Farmers Organizations about the water stream chart levels.
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