Rajasthan medium irrigation

PES covers the period 7/80-4/83 and is based on document review and interviews with Government of Rajasthan (GOR) officials. The diversion of financial resources and field staff toward relief of drought-related famine has rendered achievement of project objectives unlikely. The initial target of 15 MIP"s encompassing 65,000 ha has been reduced to nine MIP"s - seven already approved - encompassing 60,000 ha. At the halfway point, only 25% of targeted costs have been incurred and it is doubtful whether any MIP"s will be completed by project end. Only 11 of 19 targeted divisions and 25 (of 68) field subdivisions are in place. Reallocations of available funds and staff could allow for completion of the more advanced Bhimsagar, Bassi, Kothari, and Chhapi MIP"s, bringing 19,000 ha to full irrigation potential by project end. On the other hand, if the GOR project budget were increased significantly and its claim submission procedures streamlined, considerable progress could be made on all nine MIP"s. U.S. training in economic analysis and irrigation planning and operations was provided to 20 field officials, and workshops were held in-country on diagnostic analysis of irrigation projects and irrigation water measurement (follow-up action to the former workshop has been initiated for improving the Gambhiri and other older systems). However, most of the officials who received training and attended workshops have been transferred outside project areas. Additional funding to meet needs for more in-country training, field manuals, and construction and data processing equipment has been requested. The National Council of Applied Economic Research is conducting baseline socioeconomic studies to be available in 6 months. Water loss measurement studies in three representative MIP"s are also in progress. It is recommended that the GOR urgently review budget allocations and schedule implementation accordingly. Other recommendations for the GOR and A.I.D. are made regarding project scope, implementation methods, staff preparation and availability, and financial management and logistics.