The Water Resources Management in the Pyanj River basin (PRB) Project will improve institutional and physical capacities of water resources management (WRM) system in PRB of southern Tajikistan, and it will: (i) establish a PRB organization, council, and Joint PRB committee, and develop a PRB management plan; (ii) modernize and climate-proof the Chubek Irrigation System (CIS); and (iii) improve farm and water use management capacities.
The impact of the proposed project will be increased farm income in the CIS area of PRB. The outcome will be increased agricultural water productivity in CIS area of PRB. The key outputs will be (i) WRM capacity improved in PRB; (ii) WRM infrastructure in PRB modernized and climate-proofed; (iii) farm management and water use capacities increased; and (iv) efficient and effective project management system. The installation of a sediment basin, the replacement of pumps and motors in the pump stations with energy efficient ones, and more profitable farm management to enable them to pay water use levies will result in more sustainable O&M of CIS.
Project Outcome
Agricultural production increased in CIS area of PRB
Agricultural productivity and relevance of forecasting services increased in the PRB
Progress Toward Outcome
The project is on track to meet its outcome. The civil works for the rehabilitation of the irrigation drainage infrastructure was awarded in July 2019 and construction is ongoing. The EA has awarded the contract for the civil works for the construction of a sediment excluding basin (SEB) and modernization of pumping units in July 2020. TA consultants have been providing capacity development to farmers since 2018.
New offices for the water user associations (WUAs) were established in Q1 2020.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs
Water resources in PRB better managed
Modernized and climate-proofed CIS WRM infrastructure fully operational
Farm management capacity and water use skill improved
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) The project is on track to meet project outputs.All project implementation consultants have been recruited and providing services since 2017.(Output 1)The working group experts for future river basin organization (RBO) staffs were selected in April 2018 and have been receiving trainings from the TA consultants. The RBO Office was established in November 2018. MEWR and TA consultants have conducted the river basin dialogues three times to discuss the river management plan with participation of relevant stakeholders. The government adopted a decree to formally establish and finance RBOs in March 2020.(Output 2)All the major procurement packages has been awarded except for a few packages scheduled at later phase. Works for improving capacity of ALRI’s local offices such as renovation of local offices and construction of ALRI training centers were completed in Q4 2019. The major civil works packages for rehabilitation of the irrigation drainage structures, construction of a SEB, and modernization of pumping units have been awarded and are in progress.(Output 3)The EA recruited the local NGO for the implementation of the farmer’s capacity development. The NGO has been providing capacity development through (i) demonstration to promote profitable farm management and efficient water use; (ii) production of high-quality seeds of major crops.ALRI reorganized 9 water user associations (WUAs) in the project districts and established new offices for WUAs in Q1 2020.
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement C
Indigenous Peoples C
Implementation period: 2019-2024
Total project funds (in USD): 11 500 000
E&S Risk Category: B