POLICY INITIATIVE

Microirrigation

To bring more area under irrigation, it has become necessary to introduce new irrigation techniques viz Micro & Sprinkler Irrigation for economizing the use of water and increase productivity per unit of water.  This technology also arrests water logging and secondary salinization problems of the canal command areas and check the receding water table and deteriorating water quality in the well command areas. The estimated potential of Micro/ Sprinkler Irrigation Technology in the country is 27 & 42.5 Million hectares respectively. It is proposed to implement a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, on Micro Irrigation during the Tenth Five Year Plan covering an area of 1.5 million hectares under  drip irrigation and 0.5 million hectares under sprinkler irrigation.

The objective of the scheme is to increase the coverage of area under micro irrigation in the country for improving crop productivity with efficient use of water resources. Micro irrigation is to be viewed as a total plant support system starting with planting material to post harvest management and marketing. Therefore, micro irrigation need be promoted in a holistic manner involving appropriate cultivars, good agronomic practices, post harvest handling, processing and marketing leading to an end-to-end approach. Water source development and recharge of wells through Watershed Management would also form a part of the package.

The scheme will be available to all the farming community in the country and the focus will be for efficient utilization of various inputs as water, fertilizer etc & increase in productivity & quality of produce.

Keeping in view the available potential and urgent need to promote efficient use of water resources, it is proposed to cover 2 Million hectare under micro/sprinkler irrigation during the Tenth Plan (1.5 Million hectare area under drip irrigation and 0.5 Million hectare area under sprinkler irrigation).  Initially, the focus will be on horticultural crops; with emphasis on potential belts/regions in the States suiting to the agro-climatic conditions.  Various extension activities viz. Training and awareness programmes for state officials, farmers, NGOs, entrepreneurs, scientists, service providers; direct mail campaigns, trouble shooting for operational problems in various agro-climatic zones would be carried out in all states / UTs through the National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture (NCPAH). 

It is proposed to provide financial assistance @ 50% of the unit cost for various spaced crops.  The financial assistance of 50% would be jointly shared between the centre and state governments in the ratio of 80:20.  In other words, 80% share (40% of unit cost) will be met by the centre, and the balance 20% (10% of unit cost) will be met by the respective states. The beneficiaries may contribute the balance 50% of the unit cost, either through his/her own resources, or through soft loan(s) from any financial institutions.

The outlay proposed for covering 2 Million hectare under micro/ sprinkler irrigation during the Tenth Plan Period will be Rs. 7600 crores (which includes 50% farmer’s contribution and Rs.100 crore for HRD, promotion and other administrative costs).  This outlay also includes Rs 984 crore for the current fiscal.  The central and state government’s contribution of the total outlay would be Rs 3100 and Rs 750 crores respectively