Bharti vows to provide irrigation facility in every agriculture field in 10 yrs
9 Nov 2014 4:44 AM IST
In a move that may give a reason to cheer for irrigation-fed agricultural sector, union minister for water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation Uma Bharti has vowed to make available irrigation facility in every agricultural field in the next 10 years. The union minister, while inaugurating a meet on irrigation management, said, ‘Availability of water for utilisation needs to be augmented to meet increasing demands through efficient use of water in all the sectors.’
Adding further, Bharti said, ‘The issue of water use efficiency is recognised as being very important for water security in the coming years. Irrigation sector accounts for about 80 per cent of total water use and therefore, it is imperative that water use efficiency is much more important in case of irrigation projects.’
Admitting the fact that shortage of water is one of the major problems of the country, Bharti said, ‘We have to stop misuse of water if we want to conserve our water resources.’ Calling for public participation at a very large scale to conserve water resources of the country, the union minister said, ‘People should not depend on government for everything and society should take initiatives on its own on sensitive issues like water conservation.’
About 64 per cent of cultivated land is dependent on monsoons. India has an irrigation potential of 139.89 million hectares, out of which a minimal 108.2 million hectares (77.35 per cent) of the total land that can be irrigated has been utilised. Currently, about 30 per cent of the net cultivated area has benefited from the irrigation projects that have been implemented.
Adding further, Bharti said, ‘The issue of water use efficiency is recognised as being very important for water security in the coming years. Irrigation sector accounts for about 80 per cent of total water use and therefore, it is imperative that water use efficiency is much more important in case of irrigation projects.’
Admitting the fact that shortage of water is one of the major problems of the country, Bharti said, ‘We have to stop misuse of water if we want to conserve our water resources.’ Calling for public participation at a very large scale to conserve water resources of the country, the union minister said, ‘People should not depend on government for everything and society should take initiatives on its own on sensitive issues like water conservation.’
About 64 per cent of cultivated land is dependent on monsoons. India has an irrigation potential of 139.89 million hectares, out of which a minimal 108.2 million hectares (77.35 per cent) of the total land that can be irrigated has been utilised. Currently, about 30 per cent of the net cultivated area has benefited from the irrigation projects that have been implemented.
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