Announcement of Colombia to Receive World Bank Assistance : Irrigation Rehabilitation Project on May 21, 1981

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE •World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.• Telephone: (202) 477-1234 BANK NEWS RELEASE~NO. 81/ 97 May 21, 1981 COLOMBIA TO RECEIVE WORLD BANK ASSISTANCE IRRIGATION REHABILITATION PROJECT A $37 million loan to Colombia wi11 help finance the rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage structures on about 47,000 hectares (ha), resulting in an increase in crop yields and better use of irrigation water, the World Bank announced today. The $86 million project, the first of its kind in Colombia, will rehabili- tate and improve maintenance in six irrigation and two drainage districts, locat- ed in seven different departments (Putumayo, Huila, Tolima, Valle, Boyaca, Santander, and Norte de Santander). Four of the districts (R(o Recio, El Juncal, San Alfonso, and Zulia) are • rice-growing areas; soybeans, cotton, sorghum, and grapes are important crops in the Roldanillo, La Uni&'n, and Toro lriigation District; Samaca is a major producer of vegetables, along with wheat and potatoes. The two drainage dis- tricts, Sibundoy in the extreme south, and Lebrija in the north central region, have major livestock farming and produce miscellaneous rainfed crops. The project calls for the design and construction of many small rehabili- tation works in all eight districts; the provision of new operation and main- tenance equipment; and technical assistance, demonstration plots, and credit for improving crop and livestock managem~nt and for rice basin cultivation. The implementing agency, Institute Colombiano de Hldrolog(a, Meteorolog(a y Adecuacion de Tierras (HIMAT), will receive technical assistance for staff training in water management and extension activities. Representatives of user associations will also be trained in management and accounting. About 29,000 persons are expected to benefit from the project through more efficient water use, and increased agricultural production, whose incremental value at full project development is estimated at Col$ 1,750 million. In ad- dition, the operational efficiency of HIMAT at the d'istrict level, as well as its capacity to design and implement future irrigation projects, are expected to improve. The World Bank loan is for 17 years, including four years of grace, with interest at 9.6% per annum . • NOTE: Money figures are expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents. ---