80% drip irrigation aid for farmers

PUNE: The state agriculture department will provide 80% subsidy to farmers from Marathwada and Vidarbha to set up drip irrigation on agriculture land.
The department officials said that the move will not only help in watering crops but also save crops like cotton, soybean and grams grown mainly in these regions. Currently, the government provides subsidy between 45% and 55% on drip irrigation across the state.
“The government has earmarked an additional Rs 100 crore for the regions’ drip irrigation programme.We have prepared a plan in this regard and it will be implemented in 19 districts,” state horticulture director Pralhad Pokale told TOI on Wednesday.
Drip irrigation is a scientific method that saves water and fertiliser by allowing water to drip slowly to the root. The government has been making conscious efforts to expand drip irrigation network in the state. In fact, it has made drip irrigation mandatory for sugarcane cultivation.
According to agriculture records, at least 22 lakh hectors of land are under drip irrigation in the state, the highest in the country.
Currently, cotton is grown on over 40 lakh hectors in Maharashtra and only about 4 lakh hectors are covered under drip irrigation.
Similarly, about 3.5 lakh hectors and 2.5 lakh hectors respectively for cultivation of soybean and grains are under drip irrigation.
“Despite having limited water resources, most farmers water crops unscientifically,” said another agriculture official.
Meanwhile, agriculture experts and activists said that the department needs to implement the scheme scrupulously at the village level.
Former vice-chancellor Rajaram Deshmukh of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth told TOI, “It is a positive move but its implementation will be a key factor. Due to poor implementation, government schemes have failed to achieve the desired objectives in the past.” “Along with the drip, the government also needs to promote sprinkle irrigation, which will be effective for grams,and soybean,” he added.