UP mulls 90% subsidy on sprinkler irrigation system

The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to provide 90 per cent subsidy to small farmers on the cost of setting up water sprinkler system for irrigation.

This is aimed at conserving water resources and its economical use in the face of alarming fall in water table across the state, especially western UP.

The scheme has been implemented only in the Bundelkhand region, which witnessed severe drought conditions over the last five years.

“The state government is planning to extend the scheme to other areas too,” former agriculture production commissioner Anis Ansari told Business Standard. Ansari is now member Revenue Board.

Farmers who have land holding less than 5 acres are eligible under the scheme. However, SC/ST farmers have been exempt from the land holding criteria, he added.

Of the estimated 72.7 million farmers in UP, almost 91 per cent have land holding less than 5 acres. The government has called upon the industry, including the Confederation of Indian Industry, to create awareness on economical use of water, especially among industries drawing heavily from underground.

“In the next 20 years, a large part of western UP, including Bareilly and Badaun, could be deprived of fresh water if water table continued to dip and water resources are not conserved,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government has directed all district magistrates and minor irrigation department officials concerned to recharge ponds and water bodies across the state.

The government is spending almost Rs 700 crore every year to strengthen and replenish existing ponds for irrigation.

Besides, the Centre also provides 100 per cent subsidy for construction of fresh ponds.

CII has a sub-committee, which is working at the national and regional level for water conservation.