ACCORDING to the Department of Irrigation and Water Utilization Management’s construction task force 9, local farmers in Thayawady Township, Bago Region, have been receiving irrigation water from the Thonze Reservoir in Thayawady Township since 15 December to ensure sufficient water for their summer paddy planting season. The reservoir has been providing water for the summer paddy planting season for 21 years, from 2005-2006 FY to this 2025- 2026 FY.
Thonze Reservoir began supplying water to 15,088 acres of summer paddy in 2005-2006 FY and has increased the irrigated area of summer paddy each year. By 2024-2025 FY, it supplied water to 42,003 acres of summer paddy. To supply water to the full target of 42,003 acres in 2025-2026 FY and to improve the irrigation system, canals have been properly repaired and dredged to enhance water flow, necessary water supply facilities have been maintained and embankments have been raised. Weeds in canals were removed in a timely manner with the support of manpower and machinery to complete the work before the irrigation season. As a result, more than 94 per cent of the planned summer paddy area has been planted, and water is being distributed to ensure that the target area is fully met. — MNA/TH