The Chhattisgarh Government has approved Rs 11.33 crore for the diversion of lotnapara canal at Paali Developmental block in Korba district, officials informed.

An additional 485 hectares of land will be brought under cultivation after the completion of the canal project.

Chhattisgarh has set an ambitious target of raising its irrigation potential to 3.2 million hectares by 2028, officials informed.

Notably, the State Government has ensured usage of nearly 73 per cent of the extended irrigation capacity which is far better than many other states of the country, officials stated.

The actual irrigation capacity for Kharif season has doubled whereas the irrigation capacity for Rabi season has increased by 10 times, they stated.

Notably, the Chhattisgarh Government had also made all preparations to strengthen Central Government’s Water Conservation and Management policy of ‘’Jal Kranti Abhiyaan’’ (Water Revolution Mission).

 A total of 54 severe water scarce villages have been selected for the Mission. Two villages from each of the 27 districts have been selected for the purpose .

Meanwhile, the State Government’s Water Resource Department has given an revised administrative sanction of Rs 20.73 crore for Bakori Water Reservour Scheme in Magarlod block of Dhamtari district.

Irrigation of Kharif crops on 769 hectare area is proposed from this irrigation scheme.

The Water Resources Department has also given revised administrative sanction of Rs 3.84 crore for Amapara Diversion Irrigation Scheme in Kota block of Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh.

This irrigation scheme will provide irrigation facility for Kharif crops in 160 hectares area.

The State Government has also given revised administrative sanction of Rs 7.94 crore for construction of Rajpur Irrigation Diversion Scheme of Antagarh block of North Bastar (Kanker) district.

The completion of this project will ensure water supply for irrigation of nearly 200 hectares area in Kharif season.

Notably, the State Horticulture Department has achieved 25 per cent target so far for the State sponsored irrigation scheme for promoting drip irrigation in Kanker district.

A target of irrigating 100 hectares of land using drip irrigation had been set in centrally sponsored scheme and  80 hectares under State sponsored scheme.

Notably, the Chhattisgarh government is also reviving defunct check-dams across the State by repairing them in a bid to bolster its ongoing water conservation measures taken up across the State.

About 2, 600 new check dams had also been sanctioned and 679 check-dams had been constructed already. The excess water from the monsoons is being collected in this process. The water is being utilized for fish culture, officials informed.

Notably, over 1.24 lakh water augmentation works had been sanctioned under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) during the past 18 months (2015-2016) and till June 2016.

About 46,121 structures had already been constructed. This include  construction of canals, deepening of canals, private  construction of canals (dabri), construction of wells, check dams, Anicuts, canal lining, irrigation drains, soak pits and flood control structures.

The power consumption rate of agricultural irrigation pumps in Chhattisgarh have registered a phenomenal increase of 287 per cent during the past few years, officials of the State-owned power companies informed.. 

Currently over 3.73 lakh irrigation pumps are being used by farmers in Chhattisgarh. Under the ‘Krishak Jeevan Jyoti Yojana’ run by the State government, on every 3 HP pumps 6,000  units and over 5 HP pumps 7,500 units are being provided free of cost to the farmers every year.  

likewise, for farmers belonging to Scheduled Caste and Tribes Category, there is no limit of power consumption in agriculture.  A master-plan for the development of horticulture had been prepared by the State Government on the basis of geographical distinction. There is four-times increase in acreage of horticulture and five times increase in the production of fruits, vegetables and flowers in the past thirteen years. The horticulture crops include fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, medicinal and scented plants. The acreage under horticulture is about seven lakh 92 thousand 943 hectares in 2015-2016. Earlier, in the year 2004-2005 the acreage under Horticulture crops had been about 2.55 lakh hectares of land.

Twenty -five villages are located in each Development block and in each village a minimum of 20 acres is identified. Each cluster will have 200 acre land.

Fruit crops are developed in almost all the districts of the State. Mangoes, bananas, papaya, guavas, lime, narangi, kathal, lemons, cashew-nuts, custard apple, litchi, watermelon, amala, cherries, sapotas (Chiku), pomegranate, coconuts and many other fruit-bearing trees are grown on a large-scale in the entire State. Watermelons grown in Chhattisgarh are very popular all over the world particularly in Middle-East. Watermelon is grown on a wide-scale at Mahanadi Basin-Janjgiri-Champa and Mahasamund districts.

The production of flowers  had increased several times after the formation of the State. ‘Gendha’ (Marigold), Roses, Rajnigandha ,Guldaudhi, Gladioleus, Chameli (Jasmine) and many other varieties are grown. Marigold plants are grown in the entire State.

Bilaspur and Korba districts are famous for Rose plants. ‘Chameli’ (Jasmine) is grown on a massive scale in Raipur and Dhamtari districts. Ginger, dhania, chillies , garlic, turmeric, methi and many other spices’ plants. Ginger is grown in almost all the districts of the State. Bilaspur district leads in medicinal and scented plants in Chhattisgarh.