ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has approved $187 million for a farm productivity enhancement project to help improve irrigation water management at tertiary and field levels in Sindh.

According to the World Bank’s Resident Mission in Islamabad, the project, approved on Friday, will support efficient management of scarce water resources and is designed to augment adaptation under different climatic changes.

Despite extensive irrigation infrastructure, widespread use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and availability of hybrid seeds in the market, agricultural productivity is low in Pakistan, especially in Sindh.

An estimated 40 to 50 per cent of water delivered through community watercourse networks is lost because of seepage, spillage, and leakage from banks.

Main beneficiaries of the project will be farmers holding land up to five hectares and medium-sized farmers up to 20 hectares in Sindh engaged in irrigated agriculture.

At least 60,000 farmers are expected to benefit from land improvements and 33,750 from training in improved agronomic practices.

“Flood irrigation is commonly adopted by most farmers in Pakistan; and a significant amount (20 to 25pc) of irrigation water is lost during application,” says Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. “The project will help farmers in making every drop of water count towards improved yield.”

The project will be completed by June 2021.

“Most of the project interventions are well-tested and demand-driven, with reasonable co-financing from beneficiary farmers,” says Mahwash Wasiq, Task Team Leader of the project. “The project will yield high economic and financial returns, as well as substantial social and economic benefits.”

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2015

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