Farmers in Chhattisgarh have achieved considerable success in developing artificial lakes through conservation of rain water on Government land to irrigate their farm lands. The State Government under its Micro Irrigation Programme had been helping the farmers develop artificial lakes through conservation of rain water. The objective is to develop lakes in villages which could help develop irrigation capacity of 40 hectares in each village, officials states.
During the last financial year, as many as 70 lakes were developed by the villagers. During the last 11 years, a total of 1,430 lakes have been developed by farmers in various villages of the State. The lakes are now helping irrigate an estimated 31,572 hectares of land. Taking a long-term view on development of water resources, the Chhattisgarh Government is ready with a Master Plan for development of rivers and other water bodies till the year 2025, officials stated.
To minimize the gap between developed irrigation capacity and actual irrigation capacity, old irrigation schemes are to be renewed. For which, Chhattisgarh Irrigation Development Project has been started with the aid received from Asian Development Bank, they stated. Action plan had also been chalked out to utilise groundwater sources in Chhattisgarh. At present, 34.87 per cent groundwater is being utilised for agriculture and other works. Under various beneficiary oriented schemes, the State Government has provided irrigation facility for 12,625 hectares area through 2525 tube-wells, they stated.
Field channel plays important role in supplying water to fields for irrigation through canals. Using field channel system, wastage of water is prevented through lining. Till date, lining of more than 11 lakh meters has been done in various areas of Chhattisgarh. The ‘Mutual Participation Water Management Scheme’ has been started to ensure participation of farmers in Irrigation Management. The member farmers of water consumer associations have been entrusted with the responsibility of irrigation management.