Pilot project to irrigate Myanmar’s dry zone
By Khine Kyaw
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Mya Than, assistant director and chief of Sagaing district at Myanmar’s Irrigation and Water Utilisation Management Division (IWUMD), said the Pywat Ywar irrigation projฌect near Myinmu should become a role model for all irrigation projects in the country’s dry zone. He said it would help change the lives of locals by improving water management and helping them grow suitable crops.
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The project encourages active participation by farmers and gets them to work with government officials in managing water allocation and enhancing the performance of the scheme.
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“The most important thing is to create a link between farmers – those who are using water, and the engiฌneers who are designing the irrigation systems. We help create a good institutional structure designed by the farmers and government institutions,” said Petra Schmitter.
Local people also have a chance to set their own rules and regulations, including the penalty for breaking them, she said. “We have repaired many of the watercourses and trained farmers in proper maintenance and operation. Rehabilitation will continue through the remainder of the project until all the sites have been assessed.”
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