The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today gave its approval for implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation during the Tenth Five Year Plan with a total cost of Rs.2091.85 crore out of which the Government of India’s share will be Rs.850.0 crore and State Governments share Rs.207.0 crore, the remainder being the contribution of the farmers. An amount of Rs.400.0 crore has been provided for the Scheme in the budget for 2005-06. The projection for 2006-07 amounting to Rs.450.0 crore assumes an increase of about 11% over the provision in 2005-06.
During the two years of the X Plan, 6.2 lakh hectares would be brought under micro-irrigation. The objective of the Scheme will be to increase the coverage of area under drip and sprinkler irrigation in the country for improving crop productivity with efficient use of available water resources and to develop the skills of farmers and field functionaries through human resource development.
The Scheme is set to give a major boost to the country’s economy by improving the income of farmers, particularly the Small and Marginal Farmers, through increased productivity and improved returns. Adoption of micro irrigation greatly enhances water; fertilizer and energy use efficiency. Hence increased agricultural productivity could be achieved without the burden of environmental degradation.
YSR/DS/HS/SKS
(Release ID :14649)