The Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department (Water Resource) provides water to the agricultural sector of Yangon Region with the river water pumping projects under the guidance of the Prime Minister. Twenty-six completed river water pumping projects supply water to 24,518 acres while the two uncompleted projects to 3,300 acres, totalling 27,818 acres of farmland.
In 2022-2023, it supplies water to 13,500 acres of summer paddy from river water pumping projects in Yangon Region. The river water pumping projects are being implemented to supply water to 1,500 acres from the Thayetchaung water pumping project in Hmawby District and 1,800 acres from Hmawby District Ahtetsu (Myitkyo) pumping project. It is slated to be completed in 2024-2025FY. Depending on the irrigation water need of farmers, the solar-powered river pumping projects such as Latpantin and Aingkalaung pumping projects are implemented in 2022-2023FY using the regional budget.
To supply irrigation water using underground water, the solar-powered pumping systems are being carried out for 3,410 acres using the regional government budget in 2022-2023FY in Kyaiktaw (north/south) Aukkyaunggon, Utothahme, Wahthinkha and Puppa Hmawtaw of Thanlyin District under the tender system. It also organizes 43 water user groups (WUGs) and seven water user associations (WUAs) with 228 farmers and carries out participatory irrigation management (PIM) as per the guideline.
For summer paddy, beans and pulses and oil crops, it installed a 2.2 kW motor and solar system at the electric water pumping site at Bokgon, Village in Taikkyi Township and supplies water to 100 acres of summer paddy. The department also provides the maintenance, techniques and heavy machinery to ensure the sustainability of agricultural equipment by cooperating with the departments concerned and residents.
For drinking water for Yangon, the Hlaing River-Hlawga water supply project and the Kankalay river water pumping project in Hmawby Township distributes 40 million gallons of water to the water pumping plant of Yangon City Development Committee. Currently, a total of 26 river water pumping projects supply water to 27,818 acres of farmlands in Yangon Region. —Nyein Thu (MNA)/ KTZH
