ISLAMABAD: The World Bank–financed Punjab Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation (PRIAT) Project made substantial progress toward improving water efficiency, agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes, with overall implementation and achievement of development objectives rated satisfactory in the latest Implementation Status & Results Report (ISR).
The USD204.44 million project, financed through the International Development Association (IDA), is being implemented by the Punjab Department of Agriculture and is now more than halfway through its lifecycle.
With total disbursements reaching USD139.87 million — nearly 70 percent of the revised project amount — the initiative is rated “Satisfactory” both in terms of progress toward achieving its development objectives and overall implementation performance. The overall risk rating remains “Moderate.”
The project lies a focus on improving equitable access to agricultural water and enhancing water productivity.
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Since becoming effective in November 2022, PRIAT has supported the rehabilitation and improvement of more than 5,560 watercourses, representing 71 percent of the revised end target. These improvements have helped address long-standing inefficiencies in Punjab’s irrigation system, particularly for farmers located at the tail end of watercourses who traditionally suffer from inadequate and unreliable water supplies.
The report highlights a significant improvement in water distribution equity, with water availability at the tail end of watercourses increasing by 41 percent. This has contributed to better crop performance and reduced conflict among water users.
In parallel, the project has supported the installation of high-efficiency irrigation systems (HEIS) across more than 8,048 hectares, achieving 50 percent of the targeted area. These systems — such as drip and sprinkler irrigation — have helped farmers reduce water losses, lower energy costs, and adapt to increasing water scarcity driven by climate change.
Overall, project-supported interventions have benefited more than one million people across Punjab, strengthening rural livelihoods and agricultural resilience.
Preliminary field surveys cited in the ISR show notable gains in water productivity, a key indicator of the project’s success.
Wheat productivity per unit of water has increased by 41 percent, while rice — a traditionally water-intensive crop — has recorded an even more striking increase of 71 percent. These improvements underscore the effectiveness of combining improved water conveyance with modern irrigation technologies and better agronomic practices.
The project has also encouraged farmers to shift toward higher-value and more climate-resilient crops.
According to the report, the area under high-value crops has expanded by 38 percent among project beneficiaries. This diversification is expected to play a critical role in boosting farm incomes, reducing vulnerability to price shocks, and improving nutrition outcomes.
Beyond on-farm improvements, PRIAT is working to strengthen linkages between farmers and markets. Under its agribusiness development component, 181 Farmer Entrepreneur Groups (FEGs), comprising 2,330 farmers, have begun implementing business plans aimed at upgrading production, processing, and marketing activities.
These FEGs are now directly connected with agribusiness enterprises in key value chains, including mango, citrus, tomatoes, onions, and groundnuts. By facilitating collective action and access to markets, the project aims to move farmers beyond subsistence production and integrate them into more profitable and competitive agri-food systems.
The ISR confirms that the project remains fully compliant with World Bank environmental and social safeguards, as well as fiduciary requirements. This is a critical aspect given the project’s scale and its engagement with thousands of farming communities across Punjab.
Approved by the World Bank Board on July 15, 2022, PRIAT is scheduled to close on June 30, 2027.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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