newsletter | | pembaharuan: Tuesday, 01 September 2026 | viewed: 71 times

ADB-Supported SRIWMSP Advances Disaster Recovery Assistant (DRA) Program and Climate-Resilient Irrigation Infrastructure in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.

VIENTIANE CAPITAL, Lao PDR — The Government of Lao PDR, through the Department of Irrigation (DOI) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, is advancing climate-resilient irrigation and watershed management through the Sustainable Rural Infrastructure and Watershed Management Sector Project (SRIWMSP), supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and development partners. The project, initiated during 2020–2021, aims to modernize at least 18 irrigation schemes to provide farmers with reliable dry-season irrigation—ensuring water is available in the right quantity, at the right time and in the right place.

Aerial view of the engineered weir structure, spillway, and reinforced riverbanks designed for water level regulation and flood control.

SRIWMSP seeks to bring approximately 4,400 hectares of land under dry-season irrigation, support the production and marketing of more than 30,000 tons of high-value crops, and improve nutrition in target communities, including a 50% increase in the number of women meeting minimum dietary diversity requirements.

The project has four outputs: Output 1: Market-oriented agricultural production increased; Output 2: Watershed ecological services protected; Output 3: Command area irrigation reliability improved; and Output 4: Nutrition awareness and facilities improved.

The objective is not simply to rehabilitate infrastructure, but to enable farmers to produce more, diversify into higher-value crops and gain better access to markets.

High-volume water discharge from the 6 outlet pipes.

1. Houay Mak Hiao Irrigation Scheme, Pak Ngeum District — Rehabilitation focuses on headworks optimization, main and secondary canal lining, updated control structures, and the installation of high-efficiency water pumps to maximize water conveyance and supply consistency. Notably, the scheme integrates a specialized fishway structure designed to maintain aquatic biodiversity and support fish migration pathways between the Mekong River system and adjacent wetland ecosystems.

2. Houay Deua Irrigation Subproject — Targeted Disaster Recovery Assistance (DRA) measures address flood-damaged intake structures, pumping stations, and distribution channels. Augmented by newly installed water pumps, these structural improvements are reinforced by bank stabilization and climate-proofing standards to ensure reliable, year-round water delivery for target agricultural command areas.

The DRA interventions also incorporate disaster-risk management and early-warning approaches to strengthen preparedness for future floods, droughts and other climate-related risks.

The water pumping station and high-capacity pipeline network used for water extraction and distribution.

INACON's Contribution

PT INACON Luhur Pertiwi (Indonesia) serves as the Loan Implementation Consultant for the Department of Irrigation (LIC-DOI), providing engineering, project-management, social and environmental safeguard support to help ensure that the works meet required technical, quality and climate-resilience standards, strictly align with international quality standards and climate-proofing guidelines.

Supported through loan and grant financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), the European Union (EU), and key co-financing partners, the SRIWMSP framework addresses critical flood and drought vulnerabilities while modernizing irrigation infrastructure across target watersheds. This comprehensive strategy directly strengthens food security and builds long-term economic resilience for local farming communities facing increasing climate variability.

More Than Irrigation Infrastructure

Beyond structural works, the initiative incorporates advanced Disaster Relief Assistance (DRA) modelling to strengthen early warning capabilities, enhance emergency response readiness, and secure sustainable watershed management for the region. This success reflects the dedication and seamless implementation by the LIC-DOI team, whose technical leadership, rigorous site supervision, and close coordination with project stakeholders ensured the high-quality, timely delivery of these critical infrastructure works.

The significance of SRIWMSP extends beyond canals, pumps and other physical infrastructure. Its broader goal is to create a virtuous cycle: Reliable water ? higher agricultural productivity ? high-value crops ? better market opportunities ? increased rural income ? improved food and nutrition security ? more resilient communities. The project demonstrates how investment in irrigation can become a foundation for sustainable agriculture, stronger rural livelihoods, watershed protection and climate resilience in Lao PDR.