In an attempt to boost agricultural production by providing irrigation to barren land, the government has constructed two small dams in Kurram Agency at the cost of Rs351.7 million.
The Kot Ragha and Maidani dams, which have been constructed in Mali Khail, Upper Kurram and Enzari, Lower Kurram respectively, will allow 1,808 acres to be irrigated.
According to the FATA Secretariat’s irrigation department, the Kot Ragha Dam was completed with an estimated cost of Rs103.6 million and will irrigate 500 acres. The dam will also enable the extraction of 10 cusecs of water.
The Maidani Dam, on the other hand, is the larger of the two in terms of rainwater collection. The 55.09 square kilometre structure costs Rs248.1 million and will help irrigate 1,308 acres of land.
“Once the dam has started functioning perfectly, there will be an agricultural revolution with thousands of acres of land being cultivated,” said the irrigation department’s executive engineer, Noor Ahmad.
He said the construction of the dams started in 2004, but work stopped owing to deteriorating law and order in the agency. The project resumed in 2011 and was completed by the end of 2012, added Ahmad. “Soon, locals will be able to benefit from them.”
The Maidani Dam is 86 feet wide and has the capacity to store 2,975 hectors of water. According to Ahmad, the dam will help increase the yield of agriculture products.
“The dams will also boost the fisheries business,” explained Ahmad. “The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) fisheries department has also constructed fish farms in the area, which has boosted economic activity.”
“About 70% of the population in Kurram Agency depends on agriculture, but the main problem is water shortage,” said Murad Hussain, a resident of the agency. He claimed the land in Kurram Agency was more cultivable as compared to other agencies in Fata; adding it was famous for growing good quality wheat, rice and cultivating orchards.
Laiq Hussain, a resident of Lower Kurram, said the dams would help increase food production once an irrigation canal was constructed. This will help irrigate large expanses of barren land and create jobs for locals, he added.
Muzamil Hussain said the dam site could encourage tourism and act as a for families wishing to relax.
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