Rajanpur District - Irrigation System - Rod Kohi

Rod Kohi

Major Rod Kohi areas traversed by hill torrents constitute nearly 65 percent of the total area of Pakistan and encompass entire Balochistan i.e. (Makran coastal Basin and Kharan closed Desert Basin). The other major hill torrent areas include D.G.Khan and D.I.Khan, FATA and AJK. In Sindh province, the systems are spread in Dadu district (Kirthar range). There are around 17,130,000 acres (69,300 km2) as the potential area under hill torrent / Rod-Kohi / Sailaba fanning excluding riverine areas. Indigenous Spate Irrigation/ hill torrent-irrigation systems traditionally called Rod-Kohi. Rod means water channel and Kohi pertains to mountains. In these areas major constraint is the use of flood flow which is highly variable in quantity and distribution, both in time and space. Annual rainfall is low, uncertain and patchy. Flow is laden with high silt in each flood. It is unfortunate that in spite of scarcity of water, major part of flood flows is lost due to mismanagement. Spate irrigation often takes place in environments that are arid and remote. Poverty in these areas is a major issue. There are very few options for generating income and improvement of livelihood. Abject poverty in the areas affected by the Rod-Kohi water calls for a rational and scientific management of flood flows.

Rod-Kohi or hill torrent cultivation is a unique system of agriculture being practiced in all the four provinces. In NWFP, D.I.Khan tract represents the major part of the system fed by five large tributaries locally named as "Zams". In the Punjab, major part of the system falls in the districts of D.G.Khan, Rajanpur and Jampur. In Balochistan, this system falls in the districts of Barkhan, Musakhail, Loralai, Zhob, Bolan and Lasbella. In Sindh province; the system is spread in Dadu & Larkana district (Kirthar range). The largest area under the system of agriculture lies in Balochistan.

Spate Irrigation is traditionally used system for diverting hill torrents into cultivable command areas for growing seasonal crops. The farming system is characterized by extreme events of floods and droughts. It usually entails the construction of an earthen diversion weir across the torrent with large channel on one or both sides of the river to convey flood water across large distances. These earthen diversion structures and water conveyance system has traditionally been constructed by the beneficiaries / communities themselves, making use of traditional technology. Farmers construct field by making embankments from 3 to 6 feet (1.8 m) high to store the water depending upon the soil type, share in water and various other factors. Upon drying crops are sown which thrive on the moisture stored in the soil. There is no further irrigation except rains, if any occurs. The economic significance of Rod-Kohi Irrigation agriculture is centered around subsistence agriculture and live-stock raising which are the main sources of income. Another aspect of the Spate Irrigation System of Rod-Kohi areas is the occurrence of the perennial water (known as Kalapani), which is available throughout the year in the upper reaches. It contributes significantly to sustainable farming in the area and used for high value crops like fodder, fruits and vegetables. The development potential in Rod-Kohi Hill torrent areas is listed below.