Rs 230 cr Nabard aid for irrigation projects

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rs 229.63 crore to the Andhra Pradesh government under RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund)- XVII to finance the Andhra Pradesh Micro-Irrigation Project (APMIP), which is being implemented through the horticulture department in the state.

With this, Nabard has so far sanctioned Rs 1,346 crore to the state government during 2011-12, surpassing the initial normative allocation of Rs 880 crore.

The RIDF loan of Rs 229.63 crore was sanctioned for providing micro-irrigation facilities in 114,000 hectare of cultivated land, benefiting 697,631 farmers in 22 districts.

The micro-irrigation facilities include drip-online as well as inline, micro and mini sprinklers, rain guns and semi-permanent sprinklers.

 

The project, which is the largest micro-irrigation project sanctioned by Nabard under RIDF, is likely to increase the state GDP by Rs 287 crore. It also envisages creation of 34,200 mandays and non-recurring employment of 6.1 million mandays, Nabard said in the release.