Of the total power consumed in the State, only 1.44 per cent is used for agriculture and irrigation purposes.
According to reports, while 15,439.827 million unit power was used in the State last year, consumption of energy for agriculture and irrigation purposes was only 222 million unit.
As per official data, the highest 38.78 per cent power consumed in 2014-15 FY was for domestic purposes. Commercial institutions consumed 11.03 per cent power during the period, while the railways used 6.68 per cent power.
While 2.26 per cent power was consumed for mining operations, 1.51 per cent was used for Government and private offices and 1.53 per cent power was used for providing drinking water to people during the year.
Over 1,543.98 crore unit power was consumed in the State during 2014-15, of which the factories consumed the highest 598.75 crore unit, while 553.54 crore unit power was consumed for domestic purposes, commercial institutions used 170.30 crore unit power, the data suggests.
During the period, while the Railways used 103.14 crore unit power, around 34.92 crore unit was consumed for mining operations, 23.25 crore unit in offices, 23.60 crore unit for providing drinking water and only 22.20 crore unit was consumed for agriculture and irrigation purposes in the State.
Notably, out of the total crop production in the State, only 28.3 per cent is cultivated on irrigated land. The State lags behind Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Bihar and Tamil Nadu in terms of irrigation.
If minimum 300 crore unit power could be consumed for agriculture and irrigation in the State, at least 50 per cent agriculture land could be saved from the drought, feel agriculture experts.