MEMBERS OF MICRO-IRRIGATION TASK FORCE MEETS RAJNATH SINGH
Members of the Task
Force on Micro-irrigation led by its Chairman and Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister, Shri M.Chandrababu Naidu met the Agriculture Minister,
Shri Rajnath Singh here today and discussed with him the ways
to increase micro-irrigation in the country. The setting up of
the Task Force was announced during the presentation of the Budget
for 2003-04 to recommend the strategies for increasing the coverage
of area under micro-irrigation in the country. The Task Force
held nation-wide consultations and obtained suggestions from experts,
State Governments and members of the public.
The Task Force informed
the Agriculture Minister that efficient use of water would be
possible by adopting micro-irrigation which includes drip and
sprinkler irrigation. It pointed out that micro-irrigation technology
not only saves water, but improves the quality of produce, boosting
its marketability. As per the estimates made by the Task Force,
an area of 69 million hectares will have to be covered under micro-irrigation
in a phased manner by 2030. This will include 27 million hectares
under drip irrigation and 42 million hectares under sprinkler
irrigation. An area of 3 million hectares will have to be covered
during the 10th Plan and another 14 million hectares
during the 11th Plan. To achieve a coverage of 3 million
hectares, an investment of Rs10,500 crore will be required during
the 10th Plan.
Shri Rajnath
Singh said that efficient utilization of water is essential to
improve productivity of land and income of farmers. He said that
the Government would examine the recommendations of the Task Force
and take necessary action urgently.
