State Water Resources Minister Brijmohan Agrawal has sanctioned Rs2.1 crore for the construction of Aqua-duct in the distribution channel in Fatehpur canal of Ambikapur block of Surguja district.
The Aqua-duct will be constructed in place of 1251 meter siphon spot of canal originating from Ghunghutta Dam. This construction will expand Irrigated land by over 960 hectares, which includes 675 hectare land for Kharif crops and 285 hectare land for Rabi crops.
Agrawal has directed officials to get the project completed with the sanctioned amount.
The State Government had been encouraging people in the rural pockets to develop small water sources for irrigation purposes, officials stated.
The Government had been providing subsidy to dig small ponds and canals to increase the ground water table
in Chhattisgarh.
The scheme provides cent per cent subsidy to community tanks and fifty per cent subsidy to private tanks ( ponds).
The Minister had stated that it is assumed that Rs20 lakh is spent on community tanks in plain areas and Rs25 lakh on community water tanks in hilly terrain and cent per cent subsidy is given to citizens.
Similarly, Rs1.50 lakh is given to private water ponds in plain areas and Rs1.80 lakh to private ponds in hilly regions.
The State Government’s Drip Irrigation Scheme, Micro Irrigation Scheme and Sprinkler Scheme have greatly contributed in expanding the area of cultivation and yield of horticulture crops, officials stated.
Under Sprinkler Scheme, total 38,995 farmers were benefited whereas under Drip Irrigation Scheme, 9000 farmers were benefited. last year, nearly 16.98 lakh farmers received grants under various beneficiary-oriented schemes.
Under Drip-Irrigation Scheme initiated in year 2005-06, subsidy of 75 per cent is provided to small and marginal farmers and that of 50 per cent is provided to big farmers for installation of Drip instrument.
Till date, more than 38,640 farmers have been benefited under Sprinkler Irrigation Scheme and nearly 7,126 farmers have availed the provisions of Drip Irrigation Scheme.