PK Additional Financing for Sindh Water Sector Improvement Phase 1

The overarching project objective is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of irrigation water distribution in three AWBs (Ghotlu, Nara and Left Bank), particularly with respect to measures of reliability, equity and user satisfaction. This would be achieved by: (a) deepening and broadening the institutional reforms that are already underway in Sindh; (b) improving the irrigation system in a systematic way covering key hydraulic infrastructure, main and branch canals, and distributaries and minors; and (c) enhancing long-term sustainability o f irrigation system through participatory irrigation management and developing institutions for improving operation and maintenance of the system and cost recovery. The improved water management would lead to increased agricultural production, employment and incomes over some about 1.8 million ha or more than 30 percent o f the irrigated area in Sindh, and one of the poorest regions o f the country.