HYDERABAD, Jan 19: Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority chairman Abdul Haq has observed that only farmers can operate the irrigation system in a better way because they are the main stakeholders.

He was speaking at the concluding session of a six-day training course for newly recruited social organizers and field assistants here the other day. He urged the social organizers and field assistants to impart training to the farming community about optimum use of water.

Left Bank Canal Area Water Board member Umer Farooq regretted that bureaucracy of the irrigation department was not prepared to accept the participatory water distribution system. He said this was a challenge to farmers who were mainly responsible to ensure judicious distribution of water under the new system.