RAWALPINDI, May 16: The Agency for Barani Areas Development (Abad) with the financial support of Asian Development Bank (ADB) is initiating development projects in 10 barani (arid) districts of Punjab at a cost of Rs3.415 billion.

The six-year Sustainable Livelihood in Barani Areas Project would be implemented in 206 barani union councils (UCs) of 10 poverty-hit districts — Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakar and Layyah.

The objective of the project is to reduce poverty in the rainfed areas of Punjab through improved livelihoods opportunities and governance.

The Punjab government would allocate Rs516 million for the project, while the beneficiaries would contribute Rs540 million.

Abad would be the sponsoring and executing agency for the whole venture through its Project Management Unit.

The agency has engaged National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) and Punjab Rural Support Programme (PRSP) in formulating community organisations in the respective areas for identifying demand-driven developments. According to the copy of PC-1 obtained by Dawn, allocation of funds will be based on the poverty ranking of the district concerned.

Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal and Gujrat have been ranked as category A, while Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah and Chakwal have been placed in category B.

The need assessment report reveals that most of the burning issues in the 206 UCs are related to water shortage, poverty and illiteracy.

The project also aims at increasing the household income through Targeted Poverty Alleviation components by improving crop and livestock productivity.

Literacy and skills-based training will be undertaken by local NGOs to be recruited by Abad on the recommendations of the Regional Support Programme (RSP) and the respective district coordination officer.

The objectives of the project include enhancing access to land, water, markets, services, agriculture inputs, technology and employment in barani areas.