FAO is launching new project “Service-Oriented Management on Irrigation” aimed at increasing productivity and modernizing irrigation system of Tajikistan.

According to the FAO office in Tajikistan, the direct beneficiaries of the  2-year project with a budget $468 000 will be  dehkan farmers, also members of  local Water Users Association (WUA) and the Water Users Associations’ Federation in the Govkush canal irrigation system, in the Vahdat district, in the Kofarnihon river basin, and  in the Fayzabad District.

“The project will enable water users of pilot regions to enhance knowledge capacity on water management and to adopt best FAO practices in increasing profitability irrigated agriculture,” — said Mr Viorel Gutu, FAO Representative in Tajikistan.

Under this project, events will be organized for policy development and approaches, measures to adopt FAO innovative technologies on irrigation modernization.

There will be conducted Training for trainers’ workshop on water management issues for farmers, and On-the-job training of hydro-technicians of WUAs and WUA Federation on operation and maintenance of the irrigation and drainage system.

To ensure the success of the project, FAO will purchase techniques and related equipment, including 2 excavators, Handheld GPS Map and GPS application, special agricultural instruments, and computer equipments.

Partnerships will be established with selected Non – governmental organizations and cooperatives for the provision of advisory services to water users and the private sector for their participation in the development of ‘business plans’. FAO will collaborate with the WUA Federation, National Agrarian University, Extension Services, NGOs working in this area, and involve best national expert.