Pakistan : Federally Administered Tribal Areas Water Resources Development Project

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Forestry - Irrigation - Water-based natural resources management

The scope of the proposed project will be based on the recommendations of the water assessment study carried out under FRDP, which address the issues such as water scarcity, insufficient irrigation facilities, water conservation, and weak water resource management. The study identified that groundwater aquifers in all the watersheds were depleting even under average weather conditions because of unplanned exploitation of groundwater for irrigation and domestic use, and recommended shift from groundwater to surface water. It identified potential for developing surface water resources for irrigated agriculture and other uses, and integrating that with the watershed management and command area development to ensure sustainable use of the resources without degrading the watersheds. It proposed sites for small reservoirs/ponds and diversion weirs in 44 watersheds of Mohamand, Bajaur, and Khyber Agencies to bring new land under irrigation along with improved watershed management. The Project will provide irrigation supplies in three agencies to increase crop production of the rain fed area and unutilized land to be brought under cultivation. It will (i) construct small reservoirs/ponds, diversion weirs, and conveyance channels; (ii) develop command area; and (iii) improve watershed management.

The project impact will be increased farm incomes in the project area thereby reducing poverty and increasing household food security. The project outcome will be improved agricultural productivity of selected watersheds and their associated natural resource base. Project outputs include (i) construction of new irrigation infrastructure, including nine small concrete gravity dams with a maximum height of 15 meters each, 31 diversion weirs, and 95 kilometers of main and secondary irrigation channels; (ii) improved on-farm management through construction of 144 kilometers of lined watercourses, terracing and land leveling on a command area of 4,615 ha, along with installation of rain and stream gauges to measure water availability; (iii) improved watershed management on 5,050 ha through afforestation of the degraded watersheds and, where appropriate, construction of check dams; and (iv) efficient project management and evaluation.

FATA is one of the most poor and deprived regions in Pakistan. Its total population is around 4.5 million and about 97% of the population lives in rural area. Socioeconomic indicators, such as health, education, water supply, roads, and agriculture land holdings are lowest in FATA as compared to country and neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) province. The predominant rural population relies mainly on subsistence agriculture and livestock rearing for their livelihood. Only 8% of the total 2.7 million hectares area is cultivated, and 38% of the cultivated area is irrigated while remaining 62% is rain fed. Land holdings are small, nearly 85% of the households own less than 2 hectare of land, which is insufficient for sustaining livelihoods. Climatic conditions in FATA are arid. Water scarcity is one of the greatest challenges, which undermines efforts to improve socioeconomic conditions of the FATA inhabitants. Groundwater aquifers are depleting rapidly in most of the watersheds due to reduced rainfall and unplanned exploitation. The unplanned utilization of water resources particularly groundwater, deforestation, and over grazing of rangelands has put immense pressure on the natural resources. The watersheds are consequently in a degraded condition resulting in depletion of water resources and vegetation cover, and affecting the overall environmental equilibrium.

The proposed Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Water Resources Development Project (FWRDP) is located along the western border of Pakistan with Afghanistan. It complements ADB's investments in three agencies of FATA (Mohmand, Bajaur, and Khyber) made through ADB-financed FATA Rural Development Project (FRDP), which was completed in March 2012.

Farm income in the project area (Bajaur, Khyber, and Mohmand agencies) is increased.

Improved agricultural productivity of selected watersheds and their associated natural resource base

Construction of new irrigation infrastructure

On-farm water management is improved

Watershed management is improved

Project management

Output-1: (i) Construction of new irrigation infrastructure

(ii). (iii). Improved watershed management (iv) Efficient project management and evaluation.

1. Site selection process and feasibility studies progress is extremely slow. Progress on awarded awarded sub-projects lags from the approved schedule primarily due to weak contractors performance and project administration by PMU and PIU's.

2. Civil Works on diversion and distribution system is not complete, hence on-farm water management works have not started.

3. Degraded watershed areas are being selected.

4. Ongoing

2. Project planning, management, and support strengthened:

Contract awards are delayed. The schedule will be updated in Q4 2018 along with CAD forecast after expected completion of site selection process and feasibility studies.

The consulting services will be required for design and management support. A National consulting firm for Design and Supervision will be recruited due to high security risk for International Consultants in the Project area.