FARMER ORGANIZATION CONVENTION BADIN
	Irrigation Management transferred to 21 FOs in the command area of Left Bank Canal Area Water Board

It was a very pleasant day for the farmer organizations', working in the command area of Left Bank Canal, Badin and SIDA itself, when SIDA/AWB officials handed over to FOs the control of their Distributaries & Minors.

“We are very happy today that FOs are handed over control on their Distributaries and minor, this is the core of objectives of Sindh Irrigation & Drainage Authority. With the grace of God, in coming a year month the whole control of distributaries and minors will be in the hands of FOs.”

The words uttered by Mohammad Hashim Leghari, MD SIDA in his presidential speech. He added, “We are passing through stress management and striving hard to achieve our goals. We are facing many difficulties. Despite having many challenges, we are going ahead to implement irrigation reforms fully. Talking about water theft and illegal outlets, he directed the Director LBC AWB to point out the locations and compile the facts and figures to take necessary action against the matter.

Dr. Abdul Majeed Nizamani while addressing the event stressed that the rotation system, which was in operation since last 13 years, should come to an end now.

Mr. Fazal Nizamani, Senior Chief Water & Power Planning Development, said farmers had right to investigate the gauges and rotation schedule from SIDA, if the communication gap was filled between SIDA and its other institutions, then reforms should result into success which would cause to remove the problems had been facing by irrigation system.

Mr. Mohammad Hashim Dal, Chairman Left Bank Canal AWB, said the system was smoothly being handed over to FOs. The speed of the reform was accelerated after the appointment of new MD SIDA, he added.

Professor Aijaz Qureshi, General Manager Transition, said, It was a great day when IDMT was signed with 21 FOs .He said he was very pleased to see huge participation of office bearers of farmer organizations”. He added that was sign that their program was running successfully.

He said they were proud to say that 60%of farmers in FOs formation belong to tail and middle. He made clear that Water Sector Improvement Project (WSIP) was about to be finalized for which MD SIDA was going for a final round talk. Mr. Jam Mitha Khan , Director Left Bank Canal , said 72 FOs had been registered out of 105, he hoped that the remaining FOs would be registered in coming months. Addressing farmers he said he wanted to tell them that those reforms were very effective for them. Before emergence of SIDA, farmers were facing many problems. The system was politically influenced and farmers were in chains of bureaucracy. Now in new management of SIDA they were empowered by giving them powers to run the system themselves.

Mr. Nazir Ahmed Memon, Social Development Specialist SIDA, addressed farmers in quite different manner. He said that was a revolution in irrigation system in the shape of SIDA Reforms and all credit of succces went in the account of farmers' organizations that they had tightened their grip on the system by FO formation and maintaining as well as operating the system handed over to them in an admirable manner. He said, they were getting fruits of efforts, which had been traveling since six years. He urged for a day when whole system would be reigned by farmers. He said they believe in participatory management, the time had passed away when in the name of consulting the people were being robbed. That approach left so away losses for the people of Sindh, in running times, the participatory management was considered the best to improve and empower the communities.

The FOs who signed the Irrigation and Drainage Management Transfer (IDMT) agreement are: Bahadur Wah minor, Sher Wah small minor, Wahtiani minor, Ghar Kadhan minor, Noor Wah, Khoski, jam Wah, Saeeda Wah, Gaja Hasan Ali Wah, Khiriari Wah, Morhari minor, Dada minor, Mandi minor, Hafeeza minor, Jakheji minor, Khesari minor etc.

The convention was also addressed by farmers, Mr.Saleh Mohammad, Fo Maki Minor, Mr. Ali Ahmed Junejo, Chairman Mehrab Minor, Mr. Ghulam Rasool Chandio, Secretary Bhaneri Minor,Mr. Abdul Shakoor Nohri, Raj Wah, Mr. Abdul Karim, Akri Minormr. Amanullah Tegani, Mr. Ahmed Soomro and others.