Development Commissioner Reviews Comprehensive Action Plan for Utilization of Water in Gangadhar Meher Lift Irrigation Project

Bhubaneswar: A review meeting on comprehensive action plan for utilization of water in Gangadhar Meher Lift Irrigation project(GMLIP) has been held today through virtual mode by Anu Garg, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, DOWR, Odisha.

Among others Dr. Arvind Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department ,Odisha, Director, A&FP, Director of Horticulture, Collector, Bargarh, EIC, other Senior Officers and Engineer from DoWR, Chief Engineer of Mahanadi Basin, DAOs of concerned districts were also joined in the meeting and participated in the discussion.

Reviewing the progress of work on GMLIP, DC-cum-ACS Smt Garg said that Gangadhar Meher Lift Irrigation Project is constructed with huge money and effort and first of its kind in India and all stakeholders must be involved for optimum use of each drop of water for growing profitable and required crops.

In this ayacut, crop diversification programme (CDP) will be priority. DC-cum-ACS Garg also advised the Agriculture Department of Odisha to give all efforts for success of the cropping programme. She also instructed to conduct training and awareness programme for elected Pani Panchayat Office bearers of the project at WALMI in consultation with the Agriculture & Horticulture Department.

The training module of Pani Panchayat Office bearer will be in line with & w.r.t. the Rabi plan 2023-24. She also instructed the Collector, Bargarh to prepare the Rabi plan by 3rd December2023. The election of Pani Panchayats in the command area is to be completed by 15th December, 2023. She also instructed Chief District Agriculture Officer, Bargarh and Assistant Director of Horticulture, Bargarh to work out of programme very effectively for successful implementation and considered to be the best. She further informed about the creation of additional 5750 Ha of ayacut in the Bargarh district summing of the total ayacut to 31,350 Ha. In this Context, DC-Cum-ACS instructed the Collector to prepare a comprehensive action plan for both Khariff & Rabi for a total ayacut of 31,350 Ha in consultation with Water resources department & Agriculture department.

The Chief Engineer& Basin Manager, Mahanadi Basin, Burla briefed about the physical progress of the project and comprehensive action plan and intimated that there is provision of 7680 ha. of Micro irrigation out of total CCA of 25,600 ha. In the coming Rabi season the project will go for trial run, testing and commissioning for the entire ayacut of 25,600 ha. The Chief Engineer intimated that the cropping programme for Rabi 2023-24 and Kharif 2024 is prepared in consultation with the Agriculture & Horticulture Department.

The Principal Secretary, Department of Ag&FE, Odisha instructed that CBO/NGO and private partners should be involved in this programme for all around/ sustainable progress of the progress. He emphasized for provision of crop insurance in non-paddy crops. The provision of incentive in CDP-MLIP project may be implemented in this project. He also instructed all the concerned department to ensure that the materials which are being used for micro-irrigation work must be of good quality for its effectiveness. The benefitted farmers of the command area to be included under the scheme of PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana). He also emphasized that for proper implementation of Crop diversification programme& optimum utilization of water, ICAR may be requested to be involved.

The Collector, Bargarh informed that the cropping pattern has been prepared by the Agriculture, Horticulture & Water Resources Department and will be implemented by the active participation of all concerned. Collector, emphasized that the Crop Diversification programme shall be given top priority.

The Director, A & FP, Odisha emphasized on provision of Exposure visit of farmers, Marketing facilities through Private companies, ensuring of MSP, Provision of Contract farming and other extension services for successful implementation of the programme.