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| TA Name | Bahawalpur Rural Development Project Phase II | |||
| Country | Pakistan | |||
| TA Number | 4720 | |||
| Project Number | 39577- 01 | |||
| Fund Source/Amount[Closed] |
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| Thematic Classification |
Economic growth
Social Development Gender Equity |
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| Description | The defund Bahawalpur Division consiting of three districts (Bahawalpur, Bahawalnaga, and Rahim Yar Khan) in Southern Punjab is one of the least developed regions in Pakistan with fewer investments made historically. Basic infrastructure was insufficiently provided in particular in rural area where 78% of the 7.64 million populations in the three districts live in. Many socioeconomic indicators of the rea, such as literacy ratio, road length per area, village electrification rate, telephone connection rate, rate of population with safe water supply, are below the provincial averages. The region constitutes the cotton-wheat zone which has the highest poverty incidence, as high as 56%, among other agro-climatic zones in Pakistan. The poverty incidence has deteriorated in the past decade from 25% in 1994. The three districts are categorized "high deprivation area" in the Punjab Poverty Reducation Strategy Paper, October 2003. Ongoing Bahawalpur Rural Development Project (BRDP, Loan 1467-PAK, approved on 26 Sep 1996 for $38 million, and to be closed on 30 June 2006) has been successfully addressing lack of rural infrastructures (roads, irrigation, electrification), and promoted social mobilziation for community-based development in this poor area. Based on the notable achievements of the ongoing BRDP and the existence of remaining vast undeveloped rural areas, the Government requested ADB to provide further assistance to finance a follow-on second phase project. The proposed project is consistent with aDB's current CSP for 2002-06 that supports sustainable pro-poor growth for rural development and employment generation as one of the three specific intervention areas. CSPU for 2005-06 emphasizes on lending for infrastructure development. | |||
| Objectives and Scope |
To reverse the trend of increasing poverty incidence in the Project area and reduce the poverty headcount to less than 45% by 2015. The Project intends to benefit about 300,000 people in the region and increase their income by about 10% (target figures are provisional) through provision of access to improved roads, electricity, and community-based income generation activities.
The TA will focus on three components: (i) improvement of core rural infrastructure, (ii) promotion of community-based economic and social activities and small-scale infrastructure development, and (iii) institutional roads and electrification of village. The second component will include community mobilization, capacity building for enhancing ski9lls, a nonformal literacy progam for women, and provision of matching seed investment for income-generating activities, and small-scale infrastructure, such as brick pavement of short roads and minor water supply and sewerage facilities. The third component will inlcude project management, and capacity building of district authorities for planning, implementation, and operation and maintenance of rural infrastructure, and other services such as veterinary services. |
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| Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | The Government is strongly committed to poverty reduction, focusing on the poor and providing them with increased economic opportunities and greater access to physical and social assets as expressed in its poverty reduction strategy, as well as in the partnership agreement with ADB. The provincial poverty reduction strategy assigns priority to addressing rural poverty through higher financial allocations, improving physical infrastructure and access to physical assets, and balanced regional development. This project is consistent with the poverty reduction strategies of the federal and provincial governments, as well as that of ADB. | |||
| Geographical Location | Punjab | |||
Safeguard Categories
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| Environment | B | |||
| Summary of Environmental and Social Issues | The monitoring and evaluation surveys estimate that about 1.2 million people have benefitted from the Bahawalpur Rural Development Project (BRDP) through improved infrastructure and community-based income-generating activities. In particular, women's community activities have made significant changes in the attitude of women in this conservative rural area, involving poor women in training, nonformal education, and income-generating activities. It is reported that some women's community organizations expanded their activites on their own initiative, and organized NGOs to help other groups. The BRDP interventions are highly regarded among the target people and local governments on account of the participatory approach, efficient implementation and effective outcomes. | |||
| Consultations Planned or Carried Out | The TA built upon the provincial government's feasibility study and will be implemented on the basis of extensive consultations undertaken with the rural population and the achievements realized under the BRDP. | |||
| Responsible ADB Officer |
Lourdes S. Adriano |
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| Responsible ADB Department |
Central and West Asia Department |
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| Responsible ADB Division |
Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources Div, CWRD |
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| Executing Agencies |
Planning & Development Department Rizwan Basir Secretary |
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| Timetable | ||||
| Fact-finding | 17 Oct 2005 to 21 Oct 2005 | |||
| Approval | 08 Dec 2005 | |||
| Financing Plan / TA Utilization |  Top
TA Amount |
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| ADB | Others | Gov | Total | Approved Amount | Revised Amount |
| $300.00 | $0.00 | $75.00 | $375.00 | $300,000.00 | $401,617.39 |
| Total Commitment | Uncommited Balance | Total Disbursement | Undisbursed Balance |
| $401,617.39 | $0.00 | $401,617.39 | $0.00 |
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