'43,514 hectares of cultivable land brought under minor irrigation'

Imphal, July 21: “Nearly 43,514 ha of cultivable land has been brought under minor irrigation  in the state,” said L Gourkishore Singh, Chief Engineer, Minor Irrigation department,  during a press conference held here today at DIPR. On completion of the ongoing projects taken up by the department, an additiol irrigation potential of 12,904 ha will be created. The works were taken up under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), North Eastern Council (NEC), Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) and tiol Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (BARD). At present, 102 schemes under AIBP-102 is under progress and it is scheduled to be completed by March 2017.  

 He further said, “Sustaible irrigation is vital for overall economic progress of the state. The State’s socio-economic structure is linked to agriculture reliant economy. Minor Irrigation holds the key for an equitable, quick and effective expansion in agriculture sector. Minor Irrigation is developing the oldest and indigenous water harvesting structure like Pick-up Weirs, River Lift Irrigation Schemes and Irrigation Tanks.

He further said that during the current fincial year, the department is planning to take up Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of some Lakes viz. Pumlenpat &Kharungpatin Thoubal District, Oksoipat & Haotakpat in Bishnupur District, Khonghampat & Konchak in Imphal West District and Lairampat at Imphal East District. The schemes are included in the District Irrigation Plan (DIP) of the State. Since the inception of AIBP in 1999, the Department had taken up 843 Minor Irrigation schemes and an irrigation potential of 43,514 ha have been created. This was stated in a press release.