Micro-irrigation benefits horticulture

Karnataka, a pioneer in micro-irrigation, has given a subsidy of Rs 260 crore for 164,000 hectares of horticulture crops over 16 years since the introduction of the subsidy scheme in 1991-92.

The introduction of drip and sprinkler systems, the two components of micro-irrigation, have resulted in an approximate five-fold increase in horticultural production in Karnataka.

The state produced 10.3 million tonnes of horticultural crops in 2006-07. About 164,000 hectares are under micro irrigation, out of 15.64 lakh hectares horticultural area in the State.

Strangely, the plantation district of Kodagu has failed to take full advantage of the subsidy along with five other districts.

The rest of 26 districts, including the newly-formed ones, have taken full advantage of the subsidy scheme, Joint Director of Horticulture (Micro Irrigation) S K Sreekanth of Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka, told Business Standard today.

"The response from Kodagu is poor. Last year, Rs 38.83 lakh subsidy remained unspent. So also was the case with Mandya (Rs 31.34 lakh) Bidar (Rs 32.85 lakh), Gulbarga (Rs 49.43 lakh), Gadag and Udupi districts failed to utilise the subsidy benefit fully," he said.

Among the districts, Chitradurga has availed of the highest Rs 10.8 crore, followed by Tumkur (Rs 7.55 crore), and Bijapur (Rs 6.87 crore). Mysore district has received a subsidy of Rs 1 crore.

The poor response from Kodagu may be because coffee, tea, rubber and oil palm are exempted from the subsidy scheme.

Sreekanth said, until 2006-07, when the Centrally-sponsored scheme on micro-irrigation was introduced, Karnataka had its own subsidy scheme, supported by the Centre.

With the Central scheme, the subsidy offered now is 50 per cent of the cost of micro-irrigation system or a fixed amount, whichever is less. The Centre's share is 80 per cent, the rest of 20 per cent being the State's share.

However, Karnataka is offering 25 per cent more, taking it to 75 per cent, to encourage horticulturists to go in for micro-irrigation. However, 100 per cent subsidy is provided in Bijapur and Kolar districts. Last year, Rs 66 crore subsidy was disbursed, and Rs 67.78 crore allocated.