Rehabilitation of the Hawaij Diab Shamiya irrigation canal… A water project serving 1,000 farmers and irrigating 6,000 dunams

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In a move aimed at improving irrigation conditions and supporting agricultural activity in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor, the Directorate of Agriculture in Deir Ezzor, in cooperation with  «Oxfam», completed the rehabilitation works of the Hawayij Diab Shamiya irrigation canal, after completing the project implementation and a specialized committee from the directorate receiving the final works, which constitutes an important addition to the water infrastructure in the area, and contributes to improving the efficiency of irrigation water distribution and reducing water waste.

The work carried out included covering approximately 1,250 meters of the main canal with reinforced concrete, with the aim of addressing seepage and water leakage problems that posed a challenge to farmers, caused the loss of irrigation water, and negatively impacted agricultural lands and homes adjacent to the canal.

The project’s implementation comes in response to the need to develop the irrigation system and improve its performance, particularly in agricultural areas that rely primarily on canal water to meet their crop needs. It is expected that concrete cladding will contribute to reducing water leakage into the surrounding soil, preserving larger quantities of it for agricultural benefit, in addition to reducing the time required to operate the canal and improving the speed and efficiency of water access to the beneficiary lands.

The importance of the project is highlighted by the size of its beneficiaries, as the number of farmers who will benefit from the rehabilitation work is estimated at about 1,000 farmers, while the agricultural area benefiting is about 6,000 dunams, which enhances the opportunities for securing irrigation water in a more efficient and regular manner, and helps farmers manage their agricultural operations and improve production conditions.

Reducing water loss also contributes to making optimal use of available resources, especially in light of the importance of preserving water and directing it to agricultural lands instead of losing it as a result of leakage and seepage. Improving the canal’s efficiency would positively reflect on the stability of the agricultural process, reduce the burdens associated with operating the irrigation system, and reduce the damage that was affecting lands and homes near the canal.

The implementation of the project, in cooperation between the Directorate of Agriculture and «Oxfam», reflects the importance of partnership between local institutions and organizations working in the humanitarian and development fields in implementing projects that respond to the actual needs of agricultural communities, contribute to the rehabilitation of infrastructure, and improve basic services related to livelihoods.

The importance of these works is not limited to addressing technical problems in the irrigation canal, but extends to supporting farmers and enhancing their ability to continue their agricultural activity, as it is one of the primary sources of income and livelihood stability in the Deir Ezzor countryside.

The rehabilitation of the Hawaij Diab Shamiya Irrigation Canal constitutes an important step in efforts to improve the state of water resources and serve agricultural lands, by developing irrigation networks, reducing waste, and raising the efficiency of water delivery, in a way that supports the sustainability of agricultural production and contributes to strengthening the resilience of rural communities and improving the living conditions of about a thousand agricultural families who benefit directly or indirectly.