Taking its unique initiative to dig lakhs of dovas or smaller farm ponds during the previous two financial years even further, the State Government has gone for renovating 2000 ponds for agriculture and allied purposes.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das kick started the drive on Thursday at Meral village of Khunti district which would take up the water bodies both in private control as well as with the Government.
“The Government is committed to water conservation which is extremely important for the State like Jharkhand. We would observe water conservation fortnight from May 24 to June 7 under which 2000 private and Government ponds would be revived to their full capacity. The ponds would not only support agriculture but also allied activities like fish farming and livestock rearing in rural areas,” said the CM while underlining the role of these activities in doubling farm income.
He, on the occasion, expressed concern over just 13 per cent irrigation coverage achieved so far in the State and said that through these smaller means of watering only the drought like condition prevailing in several parts of the State can be tackled properly. “In the State like Jharkhand we all have to do efforts for maximum utilisation of rain. This drive would be completed before the monsoon season coming next to get maximum benefits out of the water bodies for the farmers,” said Das
The CM also called on the famers present of the area to visit Israel with Government help to learn drip and sprinkler irrigation tricks and also to decide schemes best suited for their villages. He also encouraged them to take advantage of poultry, beekeeping, fish farming, lac brooding related scheme to up their income.
“Role of women is coming exceedingly well through Sakhi Mandals. large numbers of women are becoming self dependent as the Government is providing assistance of Rs four lakh to them,” he said while mentioning about the contributions of Khunti in the struggle of Independence and hailed the land of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Also present on the occasion was Agriculture Minister Randhir Singh who said the pond revival exercise would help in bringing green revolution in the State. Rural Development Minister Neelkant Singh Munda also attended the programme.
Development Commissioner Amit Khare said developing villages was on the priority of the Government. “And for that development of farm sector is extremely important. Through the renovation drive ponds up to five acre in size would be taken up and completed before the monsoon. Our sincerity can be seen as Jharkhand became the first State of the eastern region to present a separate agriculture budget,” said Khare.
Agriculture Secretary Puja Singhal informed that besides renovating total 1408 ponds 600 percolation tanks would be built which would irrigate over 2000 hectare of land. Senior officials of the district were also present on the occasion.