2ND LEAD

Japan helps renovate irrigation tanks

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 December 2010, 04:10 GMT]
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) handed over renovated irrigation tanks and fishing jetties to the Department of Agriculture Development (DAD) and to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) in the Jaffna district recently. The handing over of the fishing jetties took place in the presence of Minister Douglas Devananda, whose criminal activities were recently exposed by WikiLeaks, Assistant Director-DFAR Mr. Dharmalingam, and the local Government Agent of Jaffna Ms. Imelda Sukumar, while Mr. Patrick De Ranjan, the Assistant Commissioner of DAD Jaffna chaired the handing over ceremony of the irrigation tanks.

The renovated irrigation tanks in Chaavakachcheari, Koappaay, Changkaanai, Thellippazhai and Veala'nai DS divisions are expected to increase the water storage and will benefit some farmers to improve and increase their agricultural livelihood activities.

The renovated jetties in Kaakai-theevu and Naavaanthu'rai were earlier severely damaged during the conflict and then by the harsh hurricanes.

The renovation work of the jetties included the construction of durable armour stone structures to reflect wave energy. This feature is expected to have a positive impact on the jetty structures and causeways in the district.

The Farmer Organizations (FO) and Fisheries Cooperative Societies (FCS), the direct beneficiaries of these renovated facilities, will be responsible for the future maintenance of the facilities.

JICA also conducted Operation and Maintenance training programmes among representatives of FOs and FCSs and during these programmes action plans specifying the type and frequency of O&M activities for each tank and jetty were developed. These action plans were then endorsed by DAD and DFAR.

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