In an attempt to provide better irrigation facilities in 14 districts of the State where Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) is going on Jharkhand Tribal Development Society (JTDS), a unit of the Welfare Department, Government of Jharkhand is planning to provide Solar based irrigation systems.
JTDC Project Director, Bhashma Kumar informed that solar based irrigation system to be provided in 14 TSP districts by JTDS which will be completed by the month of September this year. “The system is being planned so that farmers in the area can do farming in all seasons. Total 64 units will be provided in different blocks. Each block will be provided 2 numbers of units,” he added.
Kumar further said that installation cost of one such system will be around Rs 10 lakh. It will help the farmers to get better irrigation facilities, he added.
The Project Director said that JTDS has constructed a total of 1981 pounds in 14 TSP districts under Jharkhand Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods project (JTELP). “These ponds will be used for irrigation through solar machines. The local community is responsible for maintenance of the same. The user charges will be there in the system for use. It will generate a sense of responsibility among users,” he added.
JTDC Additional Project Director informed that JTDS under its ambitious project Jharkhand Tribal Empowerment and Livelihood Project (JTELP) is planning to install solar based lift irrigation system in 64 locations of 32 blocks spread in 14 TSP districts. “These lift irrigation will be managed by Gram Sabha and beneficiaries utilising its services will pay a certain amount to the Gram Sabha,” he added.
“Main source of livelihood of people of Jharkhand is the Agriculture sector and the irrigation system of the State is completely dependent on monsoon. Most of the farmers cultivate only one crop in a year due to poor irrigation facilities. To improve multi cropping in the State it was decided that a Solar based irrigation system will be provided to farmers so that they can grow vegetables and other cash crops which can improve their earning,” said Anand.
The areas where the Solar based irrigation system to be provided to the farmers are in Ranchi - Bundu, Tamar, Angara, Khunti - Karra, Arki, Simdega - Sadar, Kurdeg, Latehar - Barwadih, Manika, Gumla - Sisai, Bharno, Lohardaga - Bhandra, Kairo, East Singhbhum - Potka, Dumaria, West Singhbhum - Tonto, Sonua, Khutpani, Goelkera, Dumka - Masalia, Gopikander, Godda - Sunderpahari, Boarijore, Pakur - Amrapara, Littipara, Sahibganj - Borio, Taljhari, Jamtara - Sadar, Fatehpur and in Saraikela Kharsawan - Kuchai, Saraikela, Rajnagar.