The sector project will increase agricultural value added by improving irrigation and strengthening agricultural value chains in three regions of Myanmar's central dry zone (CDZ). It will support the development of district-wide agricultural value chains and the modernization of irrigation systems in Magway district of the Magway region, Shwebo district of the Sagaing region, and Meiktila and Yamethin districts in the Mandalay region during a 7-year implementation period. The irrigation system rehabilitation and modernization component will cover about 20,000 hectares (ha) and benefit about 24,000 households. Parallel to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) project, cofinancing from the Agence Fran aise de D veloppement (AFD) will strengthen local, regional, and national capacity for integrated water resources management (IWRM).

The Central Dry Zone (CDZ) region, straddling large parts of Mandalay, Magway and lower Sagaing divisions, is one of the most food insecure, water-stressed, climate sensitive and natural resource poor regions in Myanmar. The CDZ region has the second highest population density in Myanmar but remains one of the least developed. Access and availability of water resources are key determinants of rural poverty with livelihoods largely dependent on the southwest monsoon. Principal crops in the CDZ consist of oil seeds and legumes, chillies, and vegetables grown as rainfed, upland crops during the wet season. Rice cultivation depends on irrigation, even during the monsoon season. Seasonal water shortages caused by low and erratic annual rainfall patterns and sandy and fragile soils that are at high risk of water and wind erosion limit paddy rice cultivation, render rainfed agriculture a high risk endeavor, and contribute to low agricultural production. Under such uncertain climatic and rainfall conditions, the provision of functional canal irrigation systems is critical to safeguarding crops.The Government has prioritized irrigation investments to enhance agricultural production and improve water utilization constructing over 233 dams and weirs, 327 pumping stations, and 8,032 tube wells, focused primarily in the CDZ. Many of these irrigation schemes were built before the 1980s and have operated for 30 years. These schemes need to be rehabilitated, redesigned and upgraded to meet changing demands and uses. The proposed Irrigation Command Area Development Project (the project) will result in increased agricultural productivity and incomes through the provision and improved management of irrigated agriculture in the CDZ region. The project will rehabilitate and modernize irrigation infrastructure in the CDZ and strengthen institutional capacities for improved irrigation management from the national level down to irrigation water user groups (WUGs) at the farm level.

The project is aligned with the government priorities on food security and agricultural growth articulated in Myanmar's Framework for Economic and Social Reforms', in particular, the emphasis on (i) rural infrastructure, including small and medium scale irrigation systems and (ii) broader development of the rural sector through community-based development schemes and cash for work' rural works programs. The ADB's Interim Country Partnership Strategy (2012 2014) for Myanmar, aligned with ADB's Water Operational Plan 2011-2020, emphasizes increasing agricultural productivity, and creating access and connectivity for rural livelihoods and infrastructure development as key program areas.

IMPACT
-Food security for domestic consumption and higher nutritional value by all citizens attained
-Socioeconomic status of rural people through increased agricultural productivity enhanced
-Food security for domestic consumption and higher nutritional value by all citizens attained
-Socioeconomic status of rural people through increased agricultural productivity enhanced
-Quality and standard of agricultural products to compete in international markets improved

CONSULTING SERVICES
A total of 94.0 person-months (pm) of consulting services (consisting of 24.0 pm of international and 70.0 pm of national input) will be required for project preparation. The consulting services will be recruited from a firm selected using QCBS method at a ratio of 80:20 based on a full technical proposal. The consultants will be recruited in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2013, as amended from time to time).

Grant from Asian Investment Facility US$ 22.30 million
Agence Francaise de Developpement US$ 27.90 million
Global Environment Facility US$ 4.79 million

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF ADB

The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main