Pakistan : Jalalpur Irrigation Project

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agricultural production - Irrigation

The Jalalpur Irrigation Project (JIP) is located along right bank of River Jhelum in Punjab, Pakistan. It will create new non-perennial irrigation services for enhanced agricultural production on 79,750 ha in Pind Daden Khan and Khushab districts. The project will increase kharif crop intensity by 50%, improve crop yield and reduce land degradation. It will directly benefit over 200,000 rural people; mostly poor. The project will (i) construct over 200 km new irrigation canals, (ii) introduce institutional reforms and establish farmers' organizations (FOs), and (iii) build farmers capacity. The project will contribute to food security and economic growth and will alleviate rural poverty in the project area.

The project impact will be the increased agricultural production in the project area (Pind Daden Khan and Khushab districts). The project outcome will be irrigation water supplies and agricultural support services available in the project area. The project outputs will be (i) new irrigation canals and appurtenant structures constructed, (ii) farmers organizations established, (iii) private agriculture support services (PASS) available and (iv) capacity of the farmers and the staff from PID and Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (PIDA) improved.

Pakistan's population of 180 million in 2011 is projected to be 221 million in 2025. The population increase combined together with changed living standards will require 40-50% additional food by 2025. This additional food can be achieved through increased crop yield and expanded irrigated area, wherever opportunities exist. Punjab contributes to about 80% of the Pakistan's food requirements and $60 billion to the national gross domestic product (GDP). Irrigated agriculture accounts for 28% of Punjab's GDP and employs over 50% of its labor force. Punjab manages an existing irrigation system serving 8.4 million ha irrigated land. Replacement cost of Punjab's irrigation infrastructure is about $18 billion.

The Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) (2009-2013) prioritizes improving the irrigation infrastructure. ADB's agriculture sector evaluation (2006) for Pakistan emphasizes improving water resources and irrigation. The water sector roadmap identifies improving the infrastructure, institutions and agricultural production to drive sustainable agricultural growth. The Medium-Term Development Framework (MTDF) (2007-2012) estimated an investment requirement of over $100 million per year for irrigation sector. The Punjab Irrigation Department (PID) is working with ADB, World Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on improvement of irrigated agriculture. ADB's $700 million multitranche financing facility (MFF) for Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Investment Program (PIAIP) is supporting upgrading the irrigation infrastructure, on-farm agriculture and institutional reforms over 2 million ha. Punjab has already transferred operational management of distributary canals serving another 1.5 million ha to FOs under different projects. Punjab allocated PKR9.0 billion ($95 million equivalent) in the MTDF 2012-15 for new irrigation projects.

Growth of agriculture sector enhanced and food security ensured.

Agricultural production in the project area increased.

Jalalpur irrigation distribution system established

Water-use capacity improved in project areas

Farm management capacity improved in project areas.

1. The irrigation system was divided into 3 ICB contracts: (i) ICB Pkg 1 (RD 0+000 TO RD 52+000); (ii) ICB Pkg 2 (RD52+000 to (RD225+500) and ICB Pkg 3 (RD225+500 to RD379+750). Contract for ICB Pkg 1 has been awarded and the contractors has started work. Contract for ICB Pkg2 is under negotiations while ICB Pkg3 is at the price evaluation stage.

2. & 3. Contract negotiations for Command area consultants is ongoing.

The project is classified as Category A for environment aspects. The environmental impact assessment has been prepared by PID in accordance with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) 2009. To ensure compliance with the ADB's SPS, Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997 (amended 2012); Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak EPA) Regulations, 2000 for review of Initial Environmental Examination and EIA, Pakistan EIA procedures, and Sectoral guidelines for environmental reports, PID, through the PMO-Canals, will follow the Environmental guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan.

Environmental Impact Assessment uploaded in ADB website in July 2017

The main stakeholders of the project are farmers with and without land holdings, landowners on the canals routes that will be negatively affected and Punjab Irrigation and agricultural department and relevant non-governmental organizations in the project area. The project design includes developing a framework for (i) establishing water users associations and farmers organization (ii) operational management of the distributary and minor canals and water courses, (iii) irrigation water allocation and use of subsurface water, all will require social mobilization and consultation. General consensus on the issues will be possible through effective consultation and participation of the stakeholders.

Institutional development for farmers management of distributary and minor canals, the collection of water fee and spending on the operation and maintenance will result in engagement and empowerment of the farmersthe main stakeholders.