Educative seminar: Systematic utilization of irrigated water

An educative seminar on systematic utilization of irrigated water to the Water User Groups (WUGs) in Taikkyi Township was held at the Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department in the township. To use systematically irrigated water depending on the cultivated areas, the water user groups were formed to promote socio-economic life of farmers with the Participatory Irrigation Management.

Zaw Min Htut, Deputy Director General, Irrigation & Water Utilization Management Dept. (IWUMD), said " Our department and relevant departments conducted educative seminars to the Water User Groups (WUGs). On the other hand, we choose pilot project areas for the water utilization management to actively participate by the WUGs.From there, we will implement extensively the Participatory Irrigation Management in all irrigated areas."

TunTun Win, Staff Officer, Taikkyi Township IWUMD, said " We have already formed 53 WUGs. In the last year, we could manage better supply of irrigated water as the groups made contacts farmers each other as well as collaborated with relevant departments. If we cooperate with the WUGs, we will extend cultivation year after year. We have a 5-year plan to extend cultivated areas. TabuHla dam which is located in Taikkyi township of Yangon region is distributing irrigation to more than 30,000 acres of farmlands in Taikkyi and Hmawbi townships."

TunTun Win, Staff Officer, Taikkyi Township IWUMD, said " TabuHla dam can irrigate up to over 28,000 acres. The water storage capacity of TabuHla dam at full brim is 294,600 acre-ftand currently we have stored over 272,000 acre-ft. The current water storage capacity is enough for cultivating summer paddy in the next year. If the El Nino happens, we can supply irrigated water from the dam to farmers."

Tin Hla, Local farmer, said " Concerning El Nino, as the education of the Agricultural Department, we will plant 90- and 100-day paddy hybrid varieties. As we are available water in equality, we will cooperate more. The paddy yield will be good."

The educative seminar focused on how to use irrigated water effectively if the El Nino are faced through the Participatory Irrigation Management.