DUSHANBE, September 10, 2009, Asia-Plus — “The Project for Rehabilitation of the Irrigation Canal in Kalininobod Jamoat, Ghonchi District” ,under the Grant Assistance of Grass-roots Human Security Project of the Government of Japan for the total amount of US$ 82,681 has been successfully implemented, according to the Japanese Embassy in Dushanbe.
On September 12, 2009, Mr. Takuya Tamai, Third Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe, and Mr. Qahhor Oymatov, Chairman of Ghonchi District will attend the handover ceremony.
In the steep mountainous area of Yangi Ariqi Bolo Village with the population of 3,000 located in Kalininobod Jamoat, south of Ghonchi District, the irrigation canal which was constructed in 1951 was no more appropriate for agricultural use. There were continuous problems of lack of water which resulted in disputes over the limited water resource. Farmers were forced to endure low productivity and low income. The local community supported the implementation of the project through making contribution on transportation and works.
Under the project, heavily damaged three kilometer irrigation canal was repaired by concrete and metallic pipes. As a result, agricultural water supply will be dramatically increased; estimated 3 times higher than before. Irrigated land will be extended from 200 hectares to 670 hectares. Agricultural productivity is expected to be enhanced, thus, local population is expected to increase their income.
With the implementation of the project, the rehabilitated canal will be much more durable against natural disasters such as landslide and flash flood which also caused the lack of agricultural water supply. The strengthened irrigation system will assist mitigation of damage from natural disaster as well as poverty reduction through increased agricultural productivity.
The Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) provides support to projects in the human security sectors at the grassroots level. The GGP is provided to local governments, NGOs, and educational and medical institutions in developing countries. The GGP has extended more than US$ 15.2 million for 231 projects in the Republic of Tajikistan since 1996.
