ROLE OF VILLAGE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE EXECUTION OF MALAKAND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT INTERVENTIONS IN NOTHERAN PAKISTAN

The study was conducted to see the role of village organizations (VOs) established under Malakand RuralDevelopment Project (MRDP) towards its execution of development interventions in District Shangla. A total of 80VO s member was interviewed. The study revealed that MRDP funded intervention in the area are water supplyschemes, water channel, water bath, bridge constructions and the establishment ofsmall hydropower stations for cheepelectricity supply through community participation. Eighty one percent ofthe sample respondents got both capital andtechnical assistancejrom MRDP. They were ofthe view that VOs have linkages with government agencies mostly withWater Management Department. Seventyfive percent ofsample respondents were benefitedfrom these linkages. MRDPprovided funds to all sample respondents mostly for irrigation (32%) and water supply (20%) schemes. MRDPinterventions benefited sample respondents because of improvement in irrigation channels/increase in irrigated land,increase in drinking water supply due to installation ofpipes for distribution ofwater among the villagers. Moreoverdue to HRD training in different sectors (agriculture, livestock) farm production has significantly increased. The studyrecommends creation of awareness, frequent visits of project staff for problem solutions, launching of moredevelopment schemes and the development oflinkages with other donor agencies for development interventions in thearea.