Irrigation projects pick up pace, 18 completed

Launched in 2015, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) is one of the flagship projects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. To expedite its implementation, during 2016, 99 ongoing Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), 99 projects were identified (in consultation with states) for completion by December 2019. Of these 18 projects have already been completed. Significantly, about 60 per cent of these 99 projects would benefit the drought-prone areas of the country.

The timely completion of these projects in June this year indicates that the present government is sparing no effort in realising the twin objectives of rural prosperity and water conservation. The completed projects span eight states — Andhra Pradesh (one project), Karnataka (one project), Chhattisgarh (two projects), Madhya Pradesh (three projects), Maharashtra (four projects), Telangana (three projects), Odisha (two projects) and Punjab (two projects). Of the 18, in seven projects the Command Area Development work is either complete or not required.

In a country where more than 55 per cent of the land is unirrigated, the foregoing achievement augurs well for the goal of better agricultural productivity for farmers as the irrigation potential utilisation of about 14 lakh hectare has been achieved; this is expected to go up to 76.03 lakh hectares after the completion of all the 99 projects. The AIBP and the Command Area Development and Water Management (Har Khet Ko Pani) are two components of PMKSY implemented by the ministry of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation.

In Maharashtra, innovative means such as installation of underground pressure pipelines are being employed to overcome the difficulties of land acquisition that often hindered the pace of the projects. Other states may also adopt these means to resolve land acquisition issues.

The PMKSY addresses the concerns of growing water scarcity in the country by promoting water conservation through per drop more crop (PDMC) and watershed management. In a nutshell, impediments are being dealt with, accountabilities are being fixed, transparency is being ensured and awareness is being created to meet time-bound targets. The goal has been set and all efforts to reach the destination are in full swing.

Apart from expanding cultivable area, integrate water sources through technologies, improve on-farm water use, adopt precision-irrigation through water harvesting and improve cropping patterns, the PMKSY also calls for increased private investments for best results.

The AIBP component of the PMKSY focuses on major and medium irrigation projects that involve an area of more than 2,000 hectares. For farms with area less than 2,000 hectares Har Khet Ko Pani component comes into play that includes surface minor irrigation, repair, renovation and restoration of water bodies and ground water development. In other words, dams, canals, distribution networks up to outlet levels are taken care of by the AIBP while works beyond outlets are covered under the Har Khet Ko Pani to ensure that every farm gets adequate water.

The other two components of PMKSY — PDMC and watershed development are implemented by the department of agriculture cooperation and farmers welfare and the department of land resources, respectively.

The PMKSY follows a “decentralised” three-tiered institutional structure with High Level Empowered Committee (HLEC) at the Central level, State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) at the state level and District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) at the district level besides dynamic involvement of urban local bodies (ULBs). There is also a provision of having two progressive farmers and one NGO as members of DLIC, a step that engenders public participation.

For effective knowledge management and to identify the gaps in irrigation infrastructure at the district level, district irrigation plans (DIPs) are prepared, which subsequently take form of state irrigation plans (SIPs). The overall implementation of the project is reviewed by a council headed by the Niti Aayog chief executive officer.

Under the PMKSY (AIBP), pending issues pertaining to other projects like Gosikhurd in Maharashtra and Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh, which were at a standstill have been streamlined in a bid to meet the deadlines. While Gosikhurd project is likely to create an irrigation potential of 2.50 lakh hectares, Polavaram project is expected to irrigate 2.9 lakh hectares.

The PDMC is a vital component of PMKSY. It aims to develop a mechanism for water use efficiency through micro irrigation. The findings of an impact evaluation study of 2014 evince that by employing the best techniques of micro-irrigation (by facilitating use of sprinkler and drip irrigation), radical changes have come about that include increase in irrigated land from same source by 8.41 per cent, increase in area under horticulture crops, average reduction in irrigation cost by 32.3 per cent, average reduction in electricity consumption by 31 per cent, average reduction in use of fertilisers by 28 per cent and an increase in average productivity of fruits and vegetables by 42.3 per cent and 52.8 per cent respectively. The overall benefits of these positive changes reflect in income enhancement of the farmers.

Har Khet Ko Pani, on the other hand, has given emphasis to participatory approach that is in line with the National Water Policy. The participatory approach focuses on engagement of beneficiaries — farmers — that help immensely in the optimal upkeep of irrigation system and effective utilisation of irrigation water. Not only does it build confidence in farmers, it eases the stress of operating and maintaining the assets created on farm by the government.

The writer is assistant communication specialist, National Mission for Clean Ganga, ministry of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation