Introduction

The Journey of Irrigation Water
Pakistan’s irrigation system—commonly called the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS)—is a vast, gravity‑fed network that diverts water from the Indus River and its tributaries to farms through dams, barrages, link canals, main canals, distributaries, and watercourses. The tertiary irrigation system of the province comprises more than 87,000 watercourses (canal + non-canal). It is the world’s largest contiguous irrigation network, enabling year‑round (perennial) and seasonal irrigation across much of the country’s arid and semi‑arid plains.

Water Losses in the System
Research conducted in 1970s by WAPDA and CSU-USAID showed that major canals were efficiently built, but significant water losses occurred in farmer-constructed watercourses below the mogha (tertiary level). The tertiary irrigation system comprising unlined (kacha) channels, spread over vast areas, lose more than 50% of irrigation water through seepage, weak banks, and uneven land levels — leading to water shortages, salinity, and waterlogging.

The Beginning of OFWM
To tackle this challenge, the On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) Program was piloted in 1976–77 with support from USAID. The project focused on watercourse improvement, precision land leveling, and field development to save water and enhance crop yields. The visible results encouraged farmers to actively improve their watercourses and inspired other donors to fund similar initiatives. OFWM is committed improve the existing tertiary system and ensure judicious use of available water for agriculture.

Expanding Impact Across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Building on this success, OFWM has expanded its work throughout the province — including non-canal command areas. The program now promotes efficient water use and higher agricultural productivity through modern irrigation practices, community participation, and farmer training.

From Water Saving to Productivity
Through its Irrigation Agronomy Program, OFWM field teams establish demonstration farms in c command area of watercourses which serve as learning centers and farmers adopt improved irrigation and crop management techniques, helping translate saved water into increased production for a sustainable agricultural future.