Additional 4 lakh hectare irrigation capacity has been created through Kapil Dhara wells constructed on private lands of poor beneficiary farmers under National Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGA) in the State. Due to it, beneficiary farmers are growing 2 crops in their fields and earning additional income through crops of fruits and vegetables.
Panchayats and Rural Development Minister Gopal Bhargava informed that since launch, Kapil Dhara irrigation wells of 3.13 lakh MNREGA beneficiaries have been constructed in the state till date.
Of these, one lakh 3,400 beneficiaries have also been provided subsidy on irrigation pumps under various departmental schemes. Kapil Dhara scheme is playing important role in removing poverty and bringing prosperity in lives of poor farmers. Success has been achieved through Kapil Dhara Yojana to convert single-crop area of 4 lakh hectares to two-crop area in the state. These farmers earned additional `750 crore by growing average 7.5 quintal of gram/wheat at the rate of `2,500 during Rabi season 2015-16.
Similarly, farmers also earned `320 crore on about 40,000 per hectare through cultivation of fruits and vegetables in 20 percent (80,000 hectares) of total 4 lakh hectares irrigated through Kapil Dhara wells.
Through successful implementation of Kapil Dhara Yojana, farmers are earning additional `1,070 crore per annum by growing fruits and vegetables in dual crops on their lands. Per capita average annual income of poor farmers in the State has increased by about `34,000.