National Program for Enhancing Command Area in Barani Areas of Pakistan (Punjab Component) (2019-20 to 2023-24)

The "National Program for Enhancing Command Area in Barani Areas of Pakistan – The Punjab Component" is a funded project aimed at enhancing the command area in the Barani (rainfed) areas of Punjab, Pakistan. It focuses on promoting environmentally friendly, socially sustainable, resource-efficient, and economically profitable irrigated agriculture.

The project's main objective is to integrate the development and management of available water resources to improve irrigation facilities and increase water availability for agriculture in rainfed areas. It emphasizes implementing modern irrigation techniques and constructing and rehabilitating water storage and distribution infrastructure.

Climate change resilience is also a key focus of the project. It aims to strengthen the resilience of small landholders by promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, encouraging water-efficient crops, and providing training and support for farmers to adapt to changing climatic conditions. The project emphasizes the sustainability and profitability of irrigated agriculture. It aims to enhance agricultural productivity, improve water-use efficiency, and create income-generating opportunities for small landholders through improved agricultural practices.

Social inclusivity is a priority, particularly for marginalized communities and women. The project provides training, capacity building, and technical assistance to empower these groups and enable their participation in and benefit from the project's activities.

The "National Program for Enhancing Command Area in Barani Areas of Pakistan – The Punjab Component" aims to transform rainfed agriculture in Punjab by integrating water resource management, climate change adaptation, and sustainable agricultural practices. Its goal is to enhance the resilience of small landholders and promote environmentally friendly and economically viable agriculture in rainfed areas.

Project objectives

The project "National Program for Enhancing Command Area in Barani Areas of Pakistan – The Punjab Component" has several key objectives, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and water productivity in the targeted areas. The objectives of the project include:

Enhancing crop productivity: The project aims to improve crop productivity by utilizing modern irrigation methods and techniques. This involves developing the land and water resources to optimize irrigation practices and maximize crop yields.
Developing command areas of small/mini dams: The project focuses on developing the command areas of small and mini dams to promote irrigated agriculture. Improving the irrigation infrastructure and water management systems aims to enhance water availability for agricultural purposes.
Promoting high-value cash crops: The project aims to promote the cultivation of high-value cash crops that are suitable for local conditions. Efficient irrigation practices and agricultural techniques will be employed to enhance water productivity and enable farmers to cope with the effects of climate change.
Building capacity of farmers: The project seeks to build the capacity of farmers to adapt to changing environmental conditions and adopt resource-efficient and profitable irrigated agriculture practices. This may involve providing training, technical assistance, and knowledge-sharing platforms to empower farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge.
Increasing farm income and profitability: The project aims to increase the income and profitability of small landholders by improving agricultural practices, optimizing water use, and promoting high-value irrigated agriculture. This is intended to improve the livelihoods of farmers and contribute to poverty reduction in rural areas.
Creating job opportunities: The project aims to generate job opportunities in rural areas through the introduction of high-value irrigated agriculture. This includes the promotion of fruit crops, oilseeds/pulses, and fodder in the barani (rainfed) areas, which can create employment opportunities along the agricultural value chain.

By achieving these objectives, the project intends to enhance agricultural productivity, promote sustainable water use, improve farmers' livelihoods, and stimulate rural development in the targeted barani areas of Punjab, Pakistan.

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Key Components

The key components of the "National Program for Enhancing Command Area in Barani Areas of Pakistan – The Punjab Component" include the following interventions:

Construction of farm ponds: The project involves the construction of 480 farm ponds to store rainwater from various sources. These ponds serve as water reservoirs and help in augmenting water availability for irrigation purposes.
Installation of solar pumping systems: In conjunction with the farm ponds, 480 solar pumping systems are installed to operate high-efficiency irrigation systems. Solar energy is utilized to power the pumps, reducing reliance on conventional energy sources and promoting sustainable and cost-effective irrigation practices.
Development of dug wells: The project focuses on developing 736 dug wells as a water source for promoting irrigated agriculture. Dug wells are constructed to tap into groundwater resources and provide a reliable water supply for irrigation purposes.
Installation of solar pumping systems at dug wells: Solar pumping systems are installed at the dug wells to operate high-efficiency irrigation systems. This enables efficient utilization of groundwater resources for irrigation and reduces dependence on conventional energy sources.
Development/improvement of watercourses: The project aims to develop or improve 600 watercourses that carry water from various sources. This intervention focuses on enhancing water conveyance efficiency at the farm level, ensuring effective irrigation and minimizing water losses during transportation.
Provision of LASER land levelers: To enhance land preparation and improve irrigation efficiency, the project provides 500 LASER land levelers to farmers or service providers. LASER land leveling services help in achieving a uniform land surface, promoting efficient water distribution during irrigation.
Promotion of fruit plants, oilseeds/pulses, and fodder/forage/range crops: The project emphasizes the promotion of specific crops on designated areas. This includes promoting fruit plants, oilseeds/pulses, and fodder/forage/range crops on 6,383, 16,538, and 11,562 acres, respectively, within the command area of small/mini dams. This intervention aims to diversify agricultural production and enhance the economic value of the irrigated agriculture in the targeted areas.

These components and interventions collectively contribute to the integrated development and management of water resources, efficient irrigation practices, and sustainable agriculture in the Barani areas of Punjab, Pakistan.

Implementation Areas: Rainfed Areas of Punjab Province

The implementation of the "National Program for Enhancing Command Area in Barani Areas of Pakistan – The Punjab Component" will focus on various districts within the rainfed areas of the Punjab province. The targeted districts include:

Attock
Rawalpindi
Chakwal
Jhelum
Gujrat
Sialkot
Narowal
Khushab
Mianwali
Bhakkar
Layyah
Dera Ghazi Khan
Rajanpur

These districts have been selected as priority areas for the implementation of the project, aiming to enhance the command area and promote sustainable agriculture practices in these rainfed regions.

Gestation Period

The gestation period for the "National Program for Enhancing Command Area in Barani Areas of Pakistan – The Punjab Component" is five years, spanning from 2019-20 to 2023-24. This timeframe indicates the planned duration for the implementation and completion of the project activities, including infrastructure development, capacity building, and promotion of sustainable agriculture practices in the targeted rainfed areas of Punjab province.

Financial Implications (Rs. million)

Total Project Cost: 3,712.642
Government Share: 2,535.802
Farmers' Contribution: 1,176.840

The total project cost for the "National Program for Enhancing Command Area in Barani Areas of Pakistan – The Punjab Component" is estimated at 3,712.642 million Pakistani Rupees. This includes the expenses associated with infrastructure development, capacity building, and implementation of various interventions to enhance the command area and promote sustainable agriculture in the targeted areas.

The government's share in financing the project is 2,535.802 million Pakistani Rupees. This indicates the financial commitment from the government to support the implementation of the project and its objectives.

Farmers' contribution towards the project amounts to 1,176.840 million Pakistani Rupees. This refers to the financial participation of the farmers in the form of their contributions or investments toward the project activities.

These financial implications highlight the investment required from the government and farmers to ensure the successful implementation of the project and its desired outcomes in terms of enhancing the command area and promoting sustainable agriculture in the rainfed areas of Punjab province.