ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation of the \$300 million Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) project, rating its overall progress as “moderately unsatisfactory” in its latest Implementation Status and Results Report (ISR).
Approved in December 2022, the SWAT project aims to enhance agricultural water productivity in selected farmers’ organization (FO) command areas, strengthen integrated water resources management (IWRM), and help restore crop production for small and medium-sized farmers impacted by the devastating 2022 floods.
While the Bank rated progress toward achieving the project’s development objectives as “moderately satisfactory,” it noted significant delays in execution. Key components such as the Hydro-Agro Informatics program are still in the design phase, with implementation not expected to begin before 2026.
A draft water resources bill—meant to replace the outdated Irrigation Act of 1879 and the Sindh Water Management Ordinance of 2002—is currently under review. Once enacted, it will provide a unified legal framework for IWRM and irrigation services in Sindh.
Efforts are also underway to reform water pricing, with the Sindh Irrigation Department conducting a study that will inform adjustments to Abiana (water usage charges), in coordination with a federal-level water pricing review.
Sub-projects involving three pilot Farmer Organizations are progressing slowly, with Area Development Plans (ADPs) still in preparation. Procurement for the Akram Wah Rehabilitation sub-project is expected to conclude with contract awards in early 2026.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture Department is advancing work on crop reporting, soil salinity management, and value chain development. Flood Emergency Response Component (FERC) payments are anticipated to be completed by late 2025.
Project assessments will later evaluate improvements in surface water productivity, measured in terms of crop revenue per cubic meter of water supplied.
Story by Tahir Amin
