JICA help for Nachchaduwa scheme

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Japanese ambassador Nobuhito Hobo, North Central Province chief minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Deputy Minister W B Ekanayake and Japan International Cooperation Agency chief representative Akira Shimura arriving at the venue for the opening of the Nachchaduwa irrigation scheme rehabilitated under the Pro-Poor Economic Advancement and Community Enhancement Project on Tuesday.

The Nachchaduwa irrigation scheme rehabilitated under the Pro-Poor Economic Advancement and Community Enhancement Project (PEACE) was opened on Tuesday by Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva with the participation of Japanese ambassador Nobuhito Hobo, North Central Province chief minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Deputy Minister W B Ekanayake and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) chief representative Akira Shimura.

The PEACE project is called Wari Pubuduwa. The project contributes to achieving sustainable development of regional agriculture and improving socio-economic status and family income of the rural community while enabling stable irrigation water supply and providing support to farmers on agriculture and other income generating activities with integrated approach.

The project has been implemented under the Kurunegala and Anuradhapura development plan and the North East Province pilot scheme.

The Kurunegala and Anuradhapura development plan under the PEACE project was implemented to rehabilitate eight major irrigation schemes, 12 medium irrigation schemes and 80 minor irrigation schemes in the North West, North Central, Central, and 10 major and medium irrigation schemes in the North and East provinces.

In addition to irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation, strengthening and capacity building of farmer organizations and government officers in various aspects such as water management, rehabilitation of canals and farm roads etc through community action planning, procurement of vehicles and equipment, construction and rehabilitation of support facilities, income generating activities, and provision of micro credit were implemented to realize the project's objectives.

The project has been financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) amounting to Rs 8,100 million under the Yen Loan to the Sri Lankan government and implemented by the Irrigation and Water Resources Management Ministry.