‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana’ to be implemented in seven Aspirational Districts of Bastar Division, Action Plan worth Rs187 crores formulated

Nearly 14,000 Farmers to benefit from Groundwater Irrigation Scheme

Central Government Officials met Water Resources Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap and discussed the strategy for implementation of groundwater irrigation scheme

Raipur, 14 August 2024/ Central Government officials from the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation had a meeting with Water Resources Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap at his residence/office today and discussed the strategy for implementation of groundwater irrigation scheme. As per the instructions of Central Groundwater Board, Bhu-Jal Bhavan, Faridabad, under the Ministry of Water Resources, an action plan has been formulated for the drilling of 3,215 borewells across 19 development blocks in 7 aspirational districts of Bastar Division under Prime Minister Agricultural Irrigation Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana) – ‘Har Khet Ko Pani’. This initiative is aimed at providing irrigation facilities across 6,578.78 hectares of land, and the proposed budget for the implementation is Rs187.69 crores.

Implementation of groundwater irrigation scheme would benefit a total of 13,852 farmers, including 12,656 farmers of Scheduled Tribes, 560 farmers of Scheduled Castes, and 363 farmers of the general category. As many as 10,498 small farmers and 3,354 marginal farmers would be benefited under the scheme.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government is taking significant steps towards the goal of doubling farmers’ income. As water is a critical component of agriculture and, thus, a fundamental need for farmers, the Central Government is determined to facilitate irrigation of agricultural lands, especially in remote areas of the Bastar Division that are still deprived of irrigation facilities. These regions will receive water for irrigation through the Prime Minister Agricultural Irrigation Scheme – ‘Har Khet Ko Pani’, focusing on groundwater irrigation. The beneficiaries of this scheme are exclusively small and marginal farmers. Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, numerous farmer welfare schemes are being implemented in the state.

Currently, the total sown area in the 7 aspirational districts of Bastar Division stands at 8,81,949 hectares, against which the existing irrigation capacity is 1,27,052 hectares, accounting for 12.56% of irrigation provided through surface water. In the forest-covered areas of Bastar, irrigation facilities can only be provided through groundwater and the Government of Chhattisgarh is committed to facilitate the same. Hence, a detailed action plan has been formulated to provide additional irrigation facility for 15,000 hectares of farmland through groundwater.

On this occasion, Chairman of the Central Groundwater Board, Shri Sunil Kumar Ambast, Water Resources Secretary Shri Rajesh Sukumar Toppo, E.N.C. Shri Indrajeet Uike, Director Shri Nayak, and other officials were present.