Outsourcing irrigation will help in better water mgmt: Vasudev

Spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev today suggested forming farmer-producers organisations and outsourcing irrigation as a way to manage water effectively.
Vasudev, who has undertaken a nation-wide yatra for conservation of rivers, said there need not be any compulsion to join the proposed farmer organisations and outsource irrigation.
"It's by choice. If you want to dig your own bore well and do your own stuff, you can do it," he said.
But, a group of farmers (about 1,000 as an example) who are willing, can come together and outsource irrigation to an entity which has technical know-how, he said.
"Nobody can compel you as to what can be done on your land. But, the state governments (can) encourage farming community to form farmer-producers organisations which we are running in Tamil Nadu," the 60-year-old spiritual guru said.

"They have a small board of their own which manages this. Now, they will contract somebody who has the necessary technology and know-how to irrigate their lands. Land will be completely in their control."
The formation of farmer organisations can get an incentive from state governments, Vasudev said.
Vasudev's yatra has covered five states so far. A public event, organised as part of the yatra, is scheduled to be held here tomorrow.