DUSHANBE, November 28, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has completed its Irrigation Rehabilitation Project in Tajikistan, which was designed to improve agricultural productivity, incomes, and access to clean water for rural communities, press release issued by the ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM) said.

According to a recently released project completion report, the project partially rehabilitated seven irrigation systems and cleaned four drainage systems improving an area of over 55,000 hectares in five districts across Tajikistan: Asht, Farkhor, Panj, Rushan, and Vahdat.

Close to 32,000 people benefited from the improved drinking water supply in the selected project areas.  Farmers also learned how to improve crop yields by applying appropriate fertilizers, using high-quality seeds, and adopting integrated pest management practices.

“The project also included emergency rehabilitation works in Hamadoni district following extreme flood damage in June 2005," said Randall Jones, ADB’s Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Economist.  “The project helped to strengthen bank protection structures along the Pyanj River, and construct the Chubek intake canal.”

ADB provided a $22.7 million loan for the project, while the Government of Tajikistan contributed around $6 million.  The Ministry of Water Resources and Land Reclamation (WRLR) was the Executing Agency for the project, which was approved in 2004.

Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, and to date, the institution has approved total assistance of over $966 million in concessional loans, grants and technical assistance to the country. ADB’s operations benefit the population by reducing isolation, increasing communication, broadening access to electricity, improving social services, and creating more income-generating opportunities.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2011, ADB approvals including cofinancing totaled $21.7 billion.