Balochistan Small Scale Irrigation Project BSSIP

“better managing scarce water resources”

The Balochistan Small Scale Irrigation Project (BSSIP) is a US$ 25 million project funded 100% by the World Bank (IDA Credit).
The overall development objective is to,”better manage scarce water resources” which is critical for the future sustainability of water resources of Balochistan province and to continue to support rural livelihoods. The Project (BSSIP) also compliments broader objectives of GoB’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and represents a major commitment from the World Bank to support GoB’s efforts in improving water resources management.
The Project initially focuses in the Pishin Lora Basin (currently most critically stressed in terms of groundwater exploitation) in the northern part of Balochistan. The basin covers the districts of Quetta, Mastung, Pishin and partly Qila Abdullah and Kalat. The Project has three main components to be implemented over 5 years:

(a) Partial restoration of water storage capacity in the Bund Khushdil Khan (BKK) reservoir.

BKK was constructed in 1890 and further enlarged in 1914. Due to siltation over the period, the original capacity of 23,835 AF has been reduced to almost 4000 AF which can only partly fulfill the irrigation water needs of about 865 acres against the original irrigated area of about 4,941 acres. The reduction in irrigation water has led to a progressive decline in agricultural livelihoods particularly during the recent drought. This has also contributed to increased exploitation of groundwater in an area already heavily over mined . Increasing reservoir storage capacity will lead to greater water availability for local irrigators, encourage reliance on surface rather than groundwater resources and facilitate aquifer recharge. An integrated approach to water resources management, incorporating a comprehensive watershed and range management program will contribute to safeguarding infrastructure investments under the project.

(b) Development of 15 small scale irrigation schemes in the Pishin Lora Basin.

These are typically existing kareze or spring irrigation schemes with discharges varying between 0.8 to 3 cusecs and predominantly high value orchard cultivation. Conveyance losses within these systems are high, estimated to be 50% or greater due to long distances (up to 2km) between the source and command area. Past experience on the development of similar schemes within the province using a community participation has had positive results with marked improvements in delivery to head of the command area and capacity building of traditional irrigation management institutions. Encouraging use of surface water resources and maximising efficiency of traditional sources will encourage farming communities to reduce dependency on tubewell irrigated agriculture.

(c) Institutional strengthening and capacity building

The Balochistan Irrigation and Power, Agriculture and Forest Departments and beneficiary communities will be trained under the project. Under the component further studies and preparation activities for the next phase of the project will be conducted in Rakhshan, Nari and Porali basins.

Improved watershed and rangeland management and on-farm water management, including introduction of high efficiency irrigation systems, will be an integral part of Components (a) and (b) to be implemented with the assistance of Balochistan Forest and Agriculture Departments.

In addition the Project will develop a Groundwater Management Action Plan to promote better groundwater management in the Pishin Lora Basin.