12.5 lakh hectares brought under irrigation, says chief minister Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai city news: Had it not been for various micro initiatives under the Jalyukta Shivar, the irrigation plan would have required Rs30,000 crore, said Fadnavis.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said that the government had brought around 12.5 lakh hectares of erstwhile parched land under irrigation by spending Rs5,500 crore under the Jalyukta Shivar scheme.

He interacted with farmers on his fifth monthly programme Mee Mukhyamantri Boltoy (Chief Minister Speaking) telecast on three Marathi channels. (HT)

Had it not been for various micro initiatives under the Jalyukta Shivar, the irrigation plan would have required Rs30,000 crore, said Fadnavis.

He revealed this during his fifth monthly programme Mee Mukhyamantri Boltoy (Chief Minister Speaking) telecast on three Marathi channels. The programme received more than 18,000 questions through emails, SMSes and social media platforms.

The CM lauded NGOs for contributing Rs560 crore towards micro irrigation projects at the village level under the scheme.  The government could free 11,000 villages from the clutches of drought by implementing the programme, he said,appealing farmers to use water judiciously.

“We have also chalked out a plan to ensure villages grappling water scarcity do not face problems. Villages should plan and diversify their cropping pattern at least for three years,” the CM said, replying to a question by a farmer.

Fadnavis added that farmer should not blindly opt for water-intensive cash crops such as sugarcane.

The government planned to bring 50% of the sugarcane crop under drip irrigation in next few years, Fadnavis said.

“We have created 37,000 of the targeted 1 lakh farm ponds. Every eligible farmer will be given a subsidy of Rs50,000 per pond. Farmers can apply online to avail the scheme,” Fadnavis told a farmer during the telecast, stressing on water conservation.