Training Center

Objective :

With the reforms in the Irrigation Sector in Sindh the organizational capacity of the Farmer Organizations becomes crucial to the performance of the irrigation system. So far the main thrust of the Farmer Organizations has been representational rather than professional and managerial. To improve water management at distributary and minor level and also at canal level it is crucial to build the capacity of Farmer Organizations in improved water management, revenue collection, FO administration, water saving and crop and livestock production and others. At present there are 220 FO's in place, with 150 more to be formed under the SOFWM and NDP. There would still be a small room for WSIP to undertake FO formation activities.

 

The number and responsibilities of the FO's requires a large, dedicated and long-term training effort through the services of a small set up of Training Centre. The centre needs to familiarize the FO key staff with the primary management processes at minor and distributary level.

 

Training and capacity building further needs to be extended to the lower cadres in the Area Water Boards – a group that is crucial to irrigation performance and to the reform process, but that is generally ignored in skill up-gradation. This group requires training in the different work processes associated with irrigation modernization and needs to be familiarized with the new institutional requirements and operational procedures under the reforms. A special concern is the retraining of AWB staff now posted at distributary and minor level. With the signing of the IDMT's the role of this cadre will change. Retraining is required – to make them more eligible for employment by FO's of for employment elsewhere.

 

  1. Organization

The training centre would be part of transition department SIDA. The SIDA has already notified the training centre and has re-activated their training activities. The centre will have small nucleus of staff to be deputed by SIDA. The In charge of Training Centre will report to SDS/DGMT. The GMT would overall supervise the activities.

he centre will have a location in a fixed place ( Hyderabad ), but not have a fixed location for the training activities.

 

 

  • Training package

The training package should be flexible, as training requirements and demands will change. The research and studies program implemented under WSIP for instance is expected to result in new techniques and working methods, which will be disseminated through the FO training .

 

  • FO Board and FO staff

  • Institutional reforms in Irrigation and Drainage
  • Introductory Water Management Reforms
  • Basic HRM procedures and conflict management
  • Effective communication and conflict management
  • O&M and Community Contract Management
  • Business planning and project preparation
  • Project planning and implementation
  • Financial audit and FO transparency
  • Irrigation campaign planning
  • Basic computer skills
  • On farm water management
  • Improving crop and livestock productivity
  • Gender integration and poverty alleviation
  • Environmental management and mitigation
  • Income generation and resource mobilization
  • Organizational linkage and Income Generation
  • Group dynamics and leadership development

  1. AWB field staff

  • Orientation on Irrigation Reforms
  • Upstream control on Cross Regulators
  • Revenue assessment and administration
  • SWMO 2002
  • Controlling Direct Outlets
  • Environmental management and mitigation
  • Retraining distributary/ minor level staff

Similarly trainings for SIDA, AWB and FO staff and management will be initiated through high profile management and development programme so that SIDA could implement the project effectively and function as per mandate of SWMO-02. Other off the shelf and tailor made courses and national and international learning tours would also be organized.

 

Similarly trainings for SIDA, AWB and FO staff and management will be initiated through high profile management and development programme so that SIDA could implement the project effectively and function as per mandate of SWMO-02. Other off the shelf and tailor made courses and national and international learning tours would also be organized.

  1. Activities

To develop the centre the following activities are to be supported under WSIP:

  1. Appointment and funding of nucleus staff (included in SIDA core staff)
  2. Curriculum development
  3. Training of trainers
  4. Upgrading of facilities
  5. Implementation of the program
  • Implementation of training program

The training program is based on the assumption that 369 FO's will be served by the centre in addition to AWBs, SIDA, IPD, PCMU-WSIP and other key GoS staff in course of the next four years. The training will be undertaken through SIDA Training Cell in close coordination with SDC, Transition Department SIDA, local, national and international institution/organizations. The courses of small duration will also be carried out in well known national and international institutes.

  1. Budget

Some funding is already provided in the component E (project management, coordination component, technical assistance and training). Detail cost would be identified in consultation with PCMU before implementation of training activities.