Federal Water Management Cell (FWMC)

Federal Water Management Cell (FWMC) was established in 1977 as a “Wing” of Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives and was fully functional during 1979. The main objectives of the Cell was to ensure adequate water availability to the farmers at farm gate at the right time by solving irrigation water sector problems and formulation of water resources development projects, besides, agricultural mechanization policies and strategies and land development projects prepared in consultation with the stakeholders. Having limited organizational setup, FWMC under its coordination/supervision and with the collaboration of Provincial OFWM Directorates completed various phases of OFWM Projects in assistance of World Bank (IDA/IFAD), ADB, OECF/JBIC and IDB etc. Besides this, a PSDP funded mega project titled “National Programme for Improvement of Watercourses in Pakistan” was also implemented until June, 2011, i.e. devolution of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture under 18^th Constitutional and over 71,548 watercourses (including Water Storage Tanks) were improved under the flagship of this project until devolution of MINFA.

• Federal Water Management Cell (FWMC), within the context of attaining and sustaining food security, serves as technical arm of the Ministry to deal with all the matters related to irrigation water management and agriculture mechanization.
• To assist the Ministry in designing and preparation of water management and agricultural mechanization policies/strategies
• Preparation and implementation of development schemes pertaining to water resource development, conservation and efficient utilization in coordination with stakeholders/donors/executing agencies
• To promote resource conservation technologies, re-use of waste water techniques and climate smart technologies for agriculture
• To undertake studies and formulate Master Plan for Rod-Kohi Irrigation System development in Pakistan
• To formulate legislative and regulatory framework for sustainable management of groundwater resources
• To develop database of available water resources (surface water, groundwater and rainwater) and linking with the cropping pattern at national level
• To launch mass awareness campaign for water conservation and efficient utilization in coordination with all relevant stakeholders

o   Implementing IDB assisted TA Grant Project “Mini Dams Command Area Development in the Potohar Region”
o   Coordinating with ECO Secretariat, Tehran for Establishment of “ECO Centre of Excellence for Efficient Water Utilization in Agriculture” in Islamabad
o   Establishment of Pakistan Standards of Agricultural Tractors and farm machinery
o    FWMC in wake of Government’s 100 days Agenda initiated consultative process with the Provincial Government and other federating units (AJK, GB and ICT) for formulation of projects under the theme “Uplift Agriculture and Conserve Water”. Following three projects to Conserve and Increase Productivity of Water were formulated under P.M’s National Agriculture Emergency Programme: –

• An umbrella project titled “National Programme for Improvement of Watercourses in Pakistan Phase-II (NPIWC-II) at a cost of RS.158,637.655 million (inclusive of Rs.63,147.739 million and Rs.48,282.289 million as Provincial Governments and farmers’ share, respectively). It is envisaged to improve 76,078 watercourses nationwide including 16,875 Nos. water storage tanks alongwith provision of 16,120 Nos. of laser land levelers to the farmers/service providers during five years. The project cost will be shared by federal and provincial government on 40:60 basis. The project will likely to save 9.36 MAF water per annum through implementation of proposed interventions. An allocation of Rs.5,500.00 million has been made in the PSDP 2019-20. The project will be implemented in all provinces including AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan & Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
• Another umbrella project titled “National Programme for Enhancing Command Area of Small and Mini Dams in Barani Areas of Pakistan” at a total cost of Rs.27,280.028 million (inclusive of Rs.12,326.188 million and Rs.5,603.331 million as provincial governments and farmers’ share, respectively was also formulated. The project envisaged construction of 2,664 farm ponds, 2,664 solar pumping systems, development of 4,156 dug wells, installation of 4,156 solar pumping systems, construction of 2,432 watercourses alongwith provision of 1,120 laser land levelers during five years. The project will bring 170,380 acres of land under cultivation besides provision of about 26,945 kW solar energy at farm level. An allocation of Rs.1,100 million has been made in PSDP 2019-20. The project will be implemented in all provinces including AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan & Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
• The project titled “Water Conservation in Barani Areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” is designed to conserve land and water resources besides will bring more area under irrigated cultivation through implementation of various interventions. The project envisaged construction of 5000 Nos. of water ponds, 3000 Nos. of check dams, 2500 Nos. of stream bank stabilization, solarization of 700 Nos. of tube wells and installation f 300 tube wells alongwith other interventions. The project designed with a cost of Rs.14,177.868 million including farmers’ share of Rs.2,321.901 million. The cost will be shared between federal and provincial government on 40:60 basis formula. It is envisaged that proposed interventions under the project will save about 237,500 MAF  water and bring about 61,000 acres under irrigated cultivation besides generation of 81,135 short term and permanent employment opportunities. An allocation of Rs.400 million has been made in PSDP 2019-20. The project will be implemented in all districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.