Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Special river-water pumping projects in Yangon Division to benefit over 67,000 acres of farmland

Yangon Division Water Resource Utilization Department is striving for providing irrigation water through its river-water pumping tasks and special riverwater pumping projects.

The river-water pumping tasks of the department and special river-water pumping projects are being implemented in Taikkyi, Htantabin, Hmawby, Hlegu and Thanlyin townships in Yangon Division. There are four special river-water pumping projects, 11 river-water pumping
tasks and eight pumping projects with the use of diesel totalling 23. There are five special river-water pumping projects under implementation, four river-water pumping tasks and one to be implemented. As there are altogether nine projects and 24 pumping tasks totalling 33.

With a view to providing adequate irrigation water for summer paddy plantations in Yangon Division, the department is working hard to benefit 29,955 acres of land through 23 river-water pumping tasks and projects, to benefit 36,800 acres of land through nine river-water pumping tasks and projects under implementation and to benefit 66,755 acres of
land through 32 river-water pumping tasks and projects.

The projects in Taikkyi township are Aingkalaung special river-water pumping projects (including Alabok river-water pumping task), Thabyaytan special riverwater pumping projects
(including Tawlati riverwater pumping task), Zigon river-water pumping task, Minhlawa riverwater pumping task under implementation and Hsinchan river-water pumping task to be implemented. The projects in Htantabin township are Yebawthaung and Kyogon special river-water pumping projects, Lamutan and Kyunngu river-water pumping tasks and Gwaytanshe special river-pumping project and Asugyi and Alainle river-water pumping tasks. Those in Hmawby township include Myaungdaka riverwater pumping task and Kankalay special project under implementation. In addition, there are many river-water pumping tasks and special projects in Mingaladon and Thanlyin townships.

Since 1995, Yangon Division Water Resource Utilization Department has been implementing
river-water pumping tasks with the use of diesel and it is now implementing the tasks with the use of electricity. It has been learnt that eight remaining riverwater pumping tasks are to include in special riverwater pumping projects.

With the aim of saving power and providing irrigation water regularly, river-water pumping
tasks are being undertaken by means of biomass gasifier engine pump set, which is costeffective and can ensure more income for farmers and reduce air pollution. The motto ‘Food Security the Challenges of Climate Change and Bio Energy’ was adopted on World Food Day which fell on 16 October, 2008. Production of bio-energy from oil palm can harm food security. But production of bio-energy from rice husk can not only solve energy problem but also ensure food security. In this connection, the world is trying to produce bio-energy by undertaking river-water pumping projects, tapping underground water and using natural waste in order to face and address the challenges. In so doing, dry regions will be green with adequate drinking water and irrigation water.

Overall, the riverwater pumping projects being implemented by Yangon Division Water Resource Utilization Department are gaining momentum and upon completion, they will benefit Yangon 30-mile radius greening project that facilitates Working Group on Environment-WGE and summer paddy fields that assist Working Group on Agriculture.

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