IDMT Agreement Signing Ceremony @ Ghotki Feeder Canal AWB

An Irrigation and Drainage Management Transfer (IDMT) Agreement Signing Ceremony of 24 Farmers Organizations (FOs) of Ghotki Feeder Canal Area Water Board (GFCAWB) was held at Directorate of Ghotki Feeder Canal AWB , Ghotki on 07/02/2009 . Prof. Aijaz A. Qureshi General Manager (Transition) SIDA was the chief guest of the occasion and Mr. Abdul Rab Pittafi Chairman GFCAWB chaired the ceremony and handed over management of 24 irrigation channels to concerned Farmers Organizations (FOs) under Sindh Water Management Ordinance (SWMO)-2002. Mr. Murtaza Kalwar Executive Engineer Ghotki Division of GFCAWB represented the Director GFCAWB who is signing authority of IDMT agreement on behalf of GFCAWB, Mr. Nazeer Ahmed Memon SDS/DGMT SIDA, Mr. Ihsan Leghari PD WSIP-I, Mr. Abdullah Ruk Naib-Nazim Diatrict Ghotki , Mr. Riaz Ahmed Dayo Executive District Officer (Agriculture) District Government Ghotki, Mr. Ishtiaq Kalhoro Executive Engineer SCARP, Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Ujjan Group Leader SMG, Mr. Anwar Siyal AEN Sub-Division Panno Akil GFCAWB, Mr. Khursheed Ahmed Khokhar AEN Sub-Division Daharki GFCAWB, Mr. Fazal-Ullah Phulpoto AEN Sub-Division Ghotki GFCAWB, Mr. Akhtar Mangi AEN Sub-Division Yaro Lund GFCAWB, Mr. Sher Mohammed Mahar Chairman FOC GFCAWB, notables of the area, FO representatives, farmers, journalist from print and electronic media, etc. participated in the ceremony. Total numbers of participants were more than 200.

At the start of IDMT signing ceremony, FO representatives presented traditional gift of Sindhi Topi (Caps) and Ajrak to the honorable guests and speakers. Mr. Perveiz A. Banbhan Field Team Incharge SMG SDC SIDA welcomed the participants and Mr. Mustafa Ujjan explained the objectives of the IDMT and role of FOs after signing the agreement. He emphasized on the effectiveness of institutions created under reforms agenda. Mr. Sher Ali Mahar Chairman FO Bakro Minor in his speech appreciated the institutional reforms in irrigation sector, he also appreciated the rehabilitation works carried out on the channels under SOFWMP and enhanced Abiana collection on FO managed channels. Mr. Mahar urged the Provincial and District Government to issue fertilizers to farmers on Abiana deposit receipts issued by FOs. Mr. Sher Mohammed Mahar Chairman FOC GFCAWB said that FO representatives were facing many difficulties in implementation of but with the passage of time and efforts of SIDA most of them have been resolved. He also said that signing of IDMT by new FOs was our old demand, which has been fulfilled today. He said that we will continue our efforts within the system for improvement.

Mr. Murtaza Kalwar Executive Engineer Ghotki Division GFCAWB said that success of irrigation reforms depends upon strong coordination of FO representatives and AWB officials. He committed to the FO representatives that AWB officials are always ready for the help of FO representatives for solution of their issues.

Mr. Nazeer A. Memon in his speech said that institutional reforms in irrigation sector have improved equitable water distribution from head to tail. He also said that interest of farmers shows success of irrigation reforms. He also asked the farmers to raise their hands and commit to work hard for implementation of irrigation reforms and perform their due role in true spirit. He also said that institutional reforms are also helpful in reduction of poverty in these areas.

Mr. Riaz Ahmed Dayo EDO (Agriculture) District Government Ghotki said that I am always in touch with the SMG staff and FO representatives for different agriculture issues. He also said that I would write suggestion to the Secretary Agriculture Department for consideration of Abiana deposit receipts issued by FOs to farmers for delivery of fertilizers. He requested all the FO representatives to visit his office personally for formulation of joint strategy of Agriculture Department and farmers for betterment of agriculture at the District Ghotki.

Mr. Ehsan Leghari Project Director WSIP-I said that there is no doubt for success of institutional reforms in irrigation sector. He said that rehabilitation works will be carried out on remaining channels under WSIP-I. He urged the FO representatives to enhance Abiana collection on urgent basis because low Abiana collection is not a good indicator for success of reforms.

Mr. Abdul Rab Pittafi Chairman GFCAWB in his speech said that he will try his best to serve the farmers of GFCAWB. He also committed with the farmers that he will be available in his office on every Monday to listen the issues of FOs and their solution. He also said that all the GFCAWB officials will also be available at his office on every Monday.

Prof. Aijaz A. Qureshi General Manager (Transition) in his speech said that SIDA is always helping hand to FOs since start of institutional reforms in irrigation sector. He said that FOs should enhance Abiana collection so that we can show it as success indicator of irrigation reforms. He also said that step by step we are strengthening the irrigation reforms.

At the end of ceremony, Prof. Aijaz A. Qureshi and Mr. Abdul Rab Pittafi jointly handed over the IDMT agreements to representatives of 24 FOs. The names of FOs signed IDMT Agreements and management handed over are as follows:

1	Lund Minor	13	Jarwar Minor
2	Dub-II Minor	14	Kamal Wah Minor
3	Saeedpur Minor	15	Rohri Forest Minor
4	Kalwali Minor	16	Narli Minor
5	Kheeraj Minor	17	Chandia Minor
6	Noreja Minor	18	Dilwaro Minor
7	Pir Wah Minor	19	Naseer Minor
8	Agro Minor	20	Sher Ali Minor
9	Bakro Minor	21	Bandh Minor
10	Garkano Minor	22	Lundi Minor
11	Jam Wah Minor	23	Rind Minor
12	Sangrar Minor	24	Tig Minor