Socio-Economic Development PIM system implemented for water user farmers

Since the agricultural sector is prioritizing for the development of country’s economy, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation is emphasizing on improving sustainable agricultural production system. 

In order to support the distribution of agricultural water through systematical management of water resources in Myanmar by the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department, a dialogue on improving the agricultural sector and farmers' socio-economic life through Participatory Irrigation management – PIM system was held in Nay Pyi Taw Council Area on 26th August.  

Union Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, H.E. Tin Htut Oo said "It is a dialogue with the farmers from irrigation usage areas to utilize irrigation water effectively which is mainly essential in the agricultural sector. The reason is for the farmers to involve in cooperation with the concerned governmental departments, to form relevant groups, and to obtain good practices to implement for the improvement of agriculture production through collective efforts.  "

Since irrigation works are essential for thriving of plantations and rural development, the government is emphasizing on investing in the irrigation projects. The cooperation of water user farmers themselves can support in distribution tasks of irrigation water by managing systematically water resources of Myanmar. 

Director General, Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department, Bo Bo Kyaw said "We mainly carry out for obtaining agricultural water and prevention of water-related disasters. Moreover, we implement to get drinking water which is needed for the improvement of socio-economic life of the people, tasks to reduce floods, and water distributions through generating electricity with solar system that can be supportive in using electricity of the nation. Again, we also emphasizing on water managements that are needed in getting sufficient drinking and irrigation water by climate situations."

Director, Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department, Dr. Maung Maung Naing said "The aim of the system is that irrigation projects mean much supportive for households from rural villages, people from flood effected areas and farmers. So, it is very important to sustainably develop these systems. When doing traditional agriculture works, there may be days with much rain and days with light rain. So, crops cultivations sometime face difficulties due to water. Not to happen that, it will be beneficial for the farmers when it is adjusted with the irrigation systems. When we use water, it is needed to make much cultivations with few of water to be the lowest water loss. It is also needed to implement to get equal access for all farmers who are in irrigation usage systems. "

Group formation management and technical training related with water distribution are being provided to the farmers by forming Water User Groups with water user farmers across the nation. 

Farmer (Bago Region), Than Naing Oo said "Before getting into such groups, we face some difficulties. But after emerging water user groups, we are getting okay with irrigation water, we farmers by ourselves could produce good quality products now. "

Head Officer, Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department, Myint Zaw said "If farmers are getting involve to actively participate in Water User Group formations, focusing on cultivation techniques and balancing cultivation times and equal gets of irrigation water, it can be implemented more for socio-economic life of the farmers and agricultural sector development by cooperating between departments and farmers."

Upon the implementation of PIM system, the socio-economic status of farmers could be developed by creating strong market for the products and cooperation to improve crops production that matched with region and climate.