ETI Baltistan signs MoUs with communities to implement Irrigation Infrastructure Projects worth 116 million rupees

GHANCHE: Economic Transformation Initiative Government of Gilgit-Baltistan entered into partnership with various communities to implement agriculture infrastructure projects in Ganche District. Memorandum of understandings (MoUs) were signed with representative committees- Scheme Management Committees for the implementation of projects. Agreement was signed for Khaplu Broq Irrigation and Land Development project that will bring 1247 acres of additional barren land under cultivation benefiting over 1200 households. With an estimated cost of 84.3 million, a channel of 12.9km length will be constructed in 18 months period. Mr. Kamal Khan Deputy Commissioner Ganche graced the event as Chief Guest. Mr. Haji Muhammad Iqbal ex- MLA GBLA, departmental heads, community notables and large number of beneficiary community memebers attended the the event. In his address Mr. Kamal expressed his greater satisfaction over various interventions carried out to imapct rural poverty and enhancing agriculture income. He urged communities to take maximum benefit from such projects of Government of Gilgit-Baltistan and asked SMT members to implement project according to its design and esnure quality. Haji Muhammad Iqbal in his speech appriciated the role of ETI GB in alleviating poverty of the district. He considered role of ETI GB as a major contributor in improving rural economy of the area. He extended his gratitude to Government of Gilgit-Baltistan and IFAD for the project that aimed at addressing land holding issues of growing population of the region.

Mr. Barkat Ali Regional Program Coordinator, Baltistab, expressed appreciation to District Administration, Line Departments and other Government institutions who played supportive role in making projects successful and enabling project and its team in achieving targets. He appriciated the effective role of communities in implementation of projects. He requested SMTs to follow prescribed project management and implementation mechanisms and assured that his team will be available to extend all technical and financial support to the communities. Two other agreements were also signed at RCU BLN with communities of Thalay and Kunais/Harikun for construction of Bridge (3.1m) and a Farm to Market Road of 7.2km length (28.6). These projects will enable over 1100 households of both areas in transporting agriculture produce to market and will reduce transportation costs and labour.