Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has approved Rs 364.40 crore for three years (2022-23 to 2024-25) for implementation of the State Plan scheme “Sustainable Harnessing of Ground Water in Water Deficit Areas”.
The scheme will be implemented by Odisha Agro Industries Corporation (OAIC) Ltd.
The scheme envisages at installing Shallow Tube Wells on cluster basis to create alternative and dependable source of irrigation which can supplement the rain fed irrigation in combating the drought situation for Kharif crops and can provide assured irrigation facility to the cultivators of Rabi crops. Further it will promote use of renewable solar energy in irrigation from existing Dug Wells/ Farm Ponds by installation of 0.5 HP solar irrigation systems.
The scheme will provide scope to increase cropping intensity to 200% and even will enable the farmers to take up 3rdcrop in a year. It will be highly beneficial to the farmers in the state in expanding area under irrigated agriculture leading to increased productivity and income of the farmers, according to an official release.