Poor performance proves a bane
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The economy of Assam is mostly agriculture based. Due to adverse and unpredictable weather conditions in the State as well as to pursue multiple cropping, agriculture is heavily dependant on irrigation. Unfortunately, out of 3,753 minor irrigation schemes taken up by the State Irrigation Department, only 1,920 schemes are functional. Most of the schemes are lying defunct while 342 schemes are under construction.
On the other hand, the department has taken up 18 major irrigation schemes out of which four are lying defunct and one is under construction.
According to official records, the irrigation schemes that are functional have not been able to cover as much area as envisioned. There is a huge gap between irrigation potential created and irrigation potential utilized. The reasons for this are aplenty – wear and tear of the irrigation schemes; non-availability of fund for their repair on time; erratic power supply in respect of electrically-operated irrigation schemes; damage of transformer, high-tension line and mechanical components at peak hours of requirement of water; stealing of motors/pumps and other accessories; damage by natural calamities like floods; change of river course in respect of surface flow and surface lift irrigation schemes; and damage of canal system etc.
Sources said that in many areas surface lift irrigation schemes had been affected due to change in river course. Most of the canals passing through agricultural fields have not been built in a systematic manner and they are not maintained properly. As a result, some canals are breached and flow of water to the fields is disrupted. Moreover, the irrigation schemes are implemented by various departments like the Agriculture Department, Panchayat and Rural Development Department and the Soil Conservation Department. Sources said that there is lack of coordination among the departments in execution of the irrigation projects. As a consequence, the ultimate objective of the irrigation schemes is not fulfilled.
Recently, the Irrigation Department had launched a system app to help farmers complain and seek repair if they find any problems in any irrigation scheme.
Out of the total geographical area of 78.44 lakh hectare, the gross cropped area of the State is 40.04 lakh hectare and the net sown area is 27.23 lakh hectare for 2019-20. The ultimate irrigation potential of the State is estimated at 27 lakh hectare. It is planned to irrigate 17 lakh hectare – 10 lakh hectare from surface water resources and 7 lakh hectare from ground water sources through minor irrigation schemes and 10 lakh hectare through major and medium irrigation projects.
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