A high-level review of implementation of Watershed Area Management Programme in Madhya Pradesh was undertaken in the conference hall of office of the Development Commissioner here on Tuesday.
Union Secretary land Resources BB Shrivastava and Joint Secretary Sandeep Dave reviewed increase in crop production due to construction of watershed structures and irrigation facilities in Madhya Pradesh.At the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary Panchayats and Rural Development Aruna Sharma informed that schemes are being implemented to treat 20 lakh hectare in the State.
Under the programme, 3,688 entry-point works have been undertaken and 3,653 water structures constructed. Through the programme, additional 15,000 hectare irrigation capacity has been created.Through this programme, latest techniques of agricultural production are also being adopted apart from conservation of traditional sources of water.Due to adoption of modern farming techniques, crop production has increased by 31.26 percent in 4550 hectare during Kharif season 2012-13, and 12488.407 hectareduring Rabi by 32 percent in watershed area.
The meeting also discussed effective efforts for linking self-help groups constituted in watershed areas by associating them with livelihood activities and increase their income and training to self-help groups. It was informed that detailed information about khasra of identified structures under the programme in the state is available on internet. Successful use of remote-sensing system and GPS is being made for their selection.
In future, GPS mapping will be undertaken in construction works under the programme. Stress was laid on technical maps and large-scale use of new information technology techniques and software for preparing estimates. The meeting was apprised of importance of space-based information system in the context of decentralised schemes by Tasneem Habib of Madhya Pradesh Council for Science and Technology.
The review meeting also discussed involvement of rural women in implementation of various schemes on a large scale. Consensus was arrived at the meeting on convergence of MNREGA and other programmes for construction of domestic toilets. Discussions were also held on extension of horticulture crops under the programme and promotion of organic farming.