JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY MINISTRY OF JIHAD-E-AGRICULTURE THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN THE STUDY ON GHARASU RIVER BASIN AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT KERMANSHAH PROVINCE IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN FINAL REPORT MAIN REPORT FEBRUARY 2004 PACIFIC CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL Exchange Rate (October 2003) US$ 1.00 = Rial 8,216 Rial 1.00 = US$ 0.000122 US$ 1.00 = Yen 111.50 PREFACE In response to a request from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Government of Japan decided to conduct the study on Gharasu River Basin Agricultural Infrastructure Development Project Kermanshah Province in the Islamic Republic of Iran and entrusted the study to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA dispatched a study team headed by Mr. Keiji Matsumoto of Pacific Consultants International to the Islamic Republic of Iran between January 2003 and December 2003. The team held discussions with the officials concerned of the Government of Iran, and conducted field surveys in the study area. Upon returning to Japan, the team conducted further studies and prepared this final report. I hope that this report will contribute to the promotion of the project and to the enhancement of friendly relationship between our two countries. Finally, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the officials of the Government and those concerned in the Islamic Republic of Iran for the close cooperation they have extended to the study. February, 2004 Shinki Suzuki Vice-President Japan International Cooperation Agency Tokyo, February of 2004 Mr. Shinki Suzuki Vice-President Japan International Cooperation Agency Transmittal Letter We are glad to submit the Final Report of “The Study on Gharasu River Basin Agricultural Infrastructure Development Project, Kermanshah Province in the Islamic Republic of Iran”. The report consists of the feasibility study for the irrigation and drainage project on priority areas, which have been prepared in consideration of the advices and recommendations of relevant ministries of the Government of Japan and JICA on formulation of development, as well as the discussions with the Iranian counterpart on the Draft Final Report and their comments on the report. The Gharasu River Basin is located in the northern part of the Kermanshah Province in the western region of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is comparatively rich in water resources in the country. Therefore, the improvement and stabilization of the agricultural production by introducing the appropriate technology will activate the regional economy and improve the living conditions of farmers. It is necessary to be careful in elaborating a development plan that is sustainable with an adequate future vision, and also being in constant harmony with the environment. The agricultural development projects, which are contemplated in the report, will play important roles in the region, and improve the agricultural infrastructure such as Ravansar irrigation system management, introducing the crop rotation with pasture and integration of agriculture and livestock farming. These projects will utilize the regional resources more effectively and will aim at sustainable agricultural development, with the intention to increase the income of the farmers, elevate the living standard of the rural population and activate the regional economy. The plan is considered to produce a major socio-economic impact in the region. It is thus anticipated that these plans be put into implementation as soon as possible following the implementation schedule proposed in the report. Taking this opportunity, we express our sincere gratitude to the officials of your Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Government of Japan for their valuable advices and recommendations for our study. We are also grateful to the officials of the Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kermanshah Jihad-e-Agriculture Organization and other public organizations involved in the Study for their devoted cooperation and support during the implementation of the Study in Iran. Sincerely yours, Keiji Matsumoto Team Leader The Study on Gharasu River Basin Agricultural Infrastructure Development Project Kermanshah Province Snow cover, Feb Maize harvesting, Oct. Flooding, Mar. Wheat harvesting, Jul. Growing Wheat May Miracle Wheat in Kangawar Agriculture of the Study Area Farmers Participation in the Study Survey in the Ravansar Right Bank Canal Irrigated Area Working Together with the Counterparts of the Study Summary SUMMARY Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Background of the Study The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran made a request to the Government of Japan (hereinafter referred to as “GOJ”) for the realization of the Study on Gharasu River Basin Agricultural Infrastructure Development Project (hereinafter referred to as “the Study”). Japan International Cooperation Agency (hereinafter referred to as “JICA”), the official agency responsible for implementation of technical cooperation programs of GOJ, dispatched a Preparatory Study Team to Iran from March 7 to March 18, 2002 and the Scope of Works (S/W) for the Study was signed on March 16, 2002. Based on the S/W, the JICA Study Team, carried out the Study in Iran from January 2003 to December 2003 and the results of the Study are presented in this report. 1.2 Objectives and Scope of the Study (1) Objectives of the Study The Study has the following two major objectives: 1) To study the feasibility of the improvement of irrigation, drainage and of agricultural development by the participation of farmers in the area selected from the study area, and 2) To carry out technical transfer to the Iranian counterpart personnel through on-the-job training in the course of the Study. (2) Study Area The Study Area, which is located at the north-west of Kermanshah city, covers an area of approximately 14,000 ha. It is divided into two parts including Site 1 (4,500 ha), which is located along the Gharasu River on the eastern part of the Study Area, and Site 2 (9,500 ha), which is bordered by the Khurkuh River on the east and foot of the mountains on the west. (3) Scope of the Study The Study was carried out in 2 Phases. The division and the Study contents of each phase are listed below: Phase Work Period Study Item 1st Field Survey Jan 2003 to Field Survey of the Study Area, Selection of Priority Areas, Phase - I in Iran Mar 2003 Preparation of Progress Report (1) 1st Work Elaboration of the basic concept of the agricultural Apr 2003 in Japan development, Preparation of the Interim Report 2nd Field Survey May 2003 to Feasibility study of the priority areas, in Iran Oct 2003 Preparation and discussion of the Progress Report (2) 2nd Work Final confirmation of the feasibility study, Phase - II Nov 2003 in Japan Preparation of the Draft Final Report 3rd Field Survey Dec 2003 Explanation and discussion of the Draft Final Report in Iran 3rd Work in Jan 2004 Preparation of the Final Report Japan S - 1 Chapter 2 Background of the Study 2.1 Brief Description of Iran (1) Natural Conditions Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the largest Middle East countries with an area of 1.65 million km2 and an estimated population of 65 million as of 2001. About 52 % of the country consists of mountains and deserts and 16% of the area has an elevation of more than 2 000 m above m.s.l. Its topographic frame consists of two major mountain ranges of the Elbourz Mountains and Zagros Mountains. The Central or Interior Plateau is located in between these mountain chains and covers over 50% of the country. The climate of Iran is classified into 4 types, namely, the continental climate of the plateau areas of the Elbourz Mountains and Zagros Mountains, the Mediterranean climate in the coast region of the Caspian Sea, the desert climate in the east region of the country and the subtropical climate in the coast region of the Persian Gulf, respectively. Annual rainfall ranges from less than 50 mm in the deserts to more than 1600 mm on the Caspian Plain. The average annual rainfall is 252 mm and approximately 90% of the country is arid or semiarid. Overall, about two-thirds of the country receives less than 250 mm of rainfall per year. (2) Socioeconomic Conditions According to the population census in 1996, Iran’s population is 60.05 million. The majority of the population is Persian (51%). Other ethnic groups include Azeri-Turkish (24%), Gilaki and Mazandarai and Baluchi (8%), Kurd (7%), Arab (3%), Lur (2%), Baloh (2%), Turkmen (2%) and others (1%). About 60 million or 99% of the total population of Iran are Muslims (Shiite-89% and Sunni-10%). Half of the poor, about 4.5 million persons or 1.47 million households, benefit from social coverage by government social safety net programs, charity institutions, and other non-profit organizations. In Islamic Republic of Iran, the Socio-Economic and Cultural Development Plan for 5 years has been planned based on the Article 123 of the Constitution. Quantitative targets of the Third Five-year Development Program (FYDP) (2000-2004) are set as follows: (% change) Annual 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 Average GDP 4.5 5.5 6.5 6.7 6.8 6.0 Non-oil/Gas DGP 5.9 7.0 7.2 6.8 7.1 6.8 Total investment 6.0 6.9 7.3 7.8 7.9 7.1 Private 6.1 9.5 9.7 9.6 7.6 8.5 Public 5.6 2.8 3.3 4.7 8.4 5.0 Private consumption expenditures 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.5 Public consumption expenditures 6.1 0.3 1.5 3.5 1.9 2.5 Liquidity (M2) 20.8 18.0 15.7 14.2 13.1 16.4 Inflation 19.9 17.4 15.3 14.0 13.0 15.9 The Gross Domestic Production (current price) in 2002 was estimated at US$ 112.1 billion with annual growth rate at 5.9%.