The World Bank–financed Punjab Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation (PRIAT) Project has received a satisfactory rating for both implementation progress and achievement of development objectives, according to its latest Implementation Status and Results Report. The assessment highlights steady progress in improving agricultural water management, boosting farm productivity, and supporting more equitable outcomes for farmers across Punjab.
With a total financing size of $204.44 million, the PRIAT project is funded through the International Development Association and is being implemented by the Punjab Department of Agriculture. The project has moved beyond the halfway point of its implementation period, with cumulative disbursements reaching $139.87 million, representing nearly 70% of the revised project amount. This level of fund utilisation reflects strong execution momentum and alignment with planned activities.
The latest report assigns a “Satisfactory” rating for overall performance as well as progress toward the project’s development objectives. At the same time, the overall risk rating has been maintained at “Moderate,” suggesting that while challenges remain, they are considered manageable within the current implementation framework. The project’s core objectives include improving equitable access to agricultural water, increasing water productivity, and raising farm incomes, particularly for smaller and more vulnerable farmers.
Since becoming effective in November 2022, PRIAT has delivered measurable improvements in irrigation infrastructure across the province. According to the report, more than 5,560 watercourses have been rehabilitated or improved under the project so far, achieving 71% of the revised end target. These upgrades are designed to reduce water losses, improve flow reliability, and ensure fairer distribution of water along irrigation channels.
One of the most notable impacts has been felt by farmers located at the tail end of watercourses, who have historically faced unreliable and insufficient water supplies. The report indicates that water availability at the tail end has increased by 41% as a result of the rehabilitation works. This improvement has contributed to better crop performance, more predictable irrigation schedules, and a reduction in disputes among water users, which are a common source of tension in irrigated farming systems.
In addition to conventional watercourse rehabilitation, the project has also focused on promoting modern, high-efficiency irrigation technologies. PRIAT has supported the installation of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems across more than 8,048 hectares, reaching 50% of the project’s targeted area for such systems. These technologies are intended to reduce water losses, lower energy consumption, and enhance overall water-use efficiency, particularly in areas facing increasing water stress.
The adoption of high-efficiency irrigation systems is also expected to contribute to higher farm incomes over time by enabling better crop management and reducing input costs. By combining infrastructure upgrades with modern irrigation practices, the project aims to strengthen climate resilience in Punjab’s agriculture sector, which is increasingly vulnerable to water scarcity and weather variability.
PRIAT was approved by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on July 15, 2022, and is scheduled to close on June 30, 2027. With more than a year remaining in its implementation timeline, the project is positioned to build on its current progress and further expand its impact across the province.
The satisfactory rating in the latest World Bank review underscores the importance of sustained investment in agricultural water management as a foundation for inclusive economic growth. As agriculture remains a critical pillar of Pakistan’s economy and a major source of livelihoods in Punjab, initiatives like PRIAT are seen as essential to improving productivity, reducing rural inequality, and ensuring more resilient food systems in the years ahead.
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