1.1 Introduction
The government has been implementing an overall investment program for the Northern Chu and Southern Ma Rivers Irrigation System (NCSMRIS) in three phases: (i) Phase 1: construction of the main canal and control structures financed by the government; (ii) Phase 2: construction of the new north (34.5 km) and south (23.5 km) main canals, and lower-order canals and on-farm facilities to be financed by ADB and the government with planned physical completion by mid-2017; and (iii) Phase 3: construction of the extension of the north main canal (km 34.5-km 47.3) and south main canal (km 23.5-km 46.5), and rehabilitation of the existing Southern Ma pumped irrigation scheme command area to be financed internal and external resources starting in about 2014. The program will increase water productivity, reduce rural energy use, and improve food security. The loan agreement between the government and ADB was signed on 9 March 2012 for the Phase 2: Development of the Northern Chu and Southern Ma Rivers Irrigation System Project
1.2 Objectives
The planned outputs of the Phase 2 project (the Project) are: (i) Output 1: improved water resources management, delivery of irrigation services and irrigation system operation and maintenance (O&M); (ii) Output 2: improved irrigation infrastructure; (iii) Output 3: improved access to and use of rural support services, agricultural inputs and information; and (iv) Output 4: effective project management. The consulting services shall assist the government in the project management and implementation of the Project.
