Japan helps farmers to better manage irrigation

The project is to help farmers to better manage irrigation to achieve higher production and contribute to the development of rural areas of Vietnam, according to JICA Vietnam.

The project named “Promotion of Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) for Sustainable Small-Scale Pro Poor Infrastructure Development Project” was signed in Hanoi between JICA Vietnam and Vietnam Academy of Water Resources (VAWR).

This is a new approach where opinions of all stakeholders are taken into consideration in all aspects, especially those of farmers.

The lessons learnt and experiences in these model sites are expected to be disseminated to the other mountainous areas of Vietnam such as the north and Central Highlands.

Motonori Tsuno, chief representative of JICA Vietnam office, believed that the VAWR would succeed to improve and enhance their know-how of PIM in this project.

"As JICA has been extending for many years financial assistance for the small scale irrigation projects in rural areas, it is hoped that the lessons learned will be utilised nation wide through those projects supported by JICA,” Tsuno said.

This model encourages farmers to participate in the management of irrigation which aims efficient distribution of water as well as efficient management of irrigation facilities.

Earlier from 2005-2010, JICA and VAWR implemented the first phase of PIM project which has successfully established 3 model sites in Quang Ninh and Hai Duong and PIM concepts have been introduced to provinces in Red River Delta.

JICA blamed that thanks to the project, the amount of water for farming increased 50 per cent, and the productivity increased from 6 to 18 per cent.