Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday gave direction for holding elections and regular audit in Pani Panchayats, which should be developed as agricultural marketing centres.
Speaking at the state-level Pani Panchayat Fortnight at Baramunda Ground in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said concrete steps should be taken to strengthen Pani Panchayats and develop these bodies as agricultural marketing centres.
He said due to expanded irrigation and research by farm scientists along with hard work of farmers, India is able to feed 140 crore people and also export food grains to foreign countries. Since water supply to the farmers’ land is very necessary, all irrigation projects must be completed on a war footing, the CM stressed.
To provide water to farmers, it has been decided to construct new field channels and convert old channels into concrete channels. By 2028-29, around 2400 km of new concrete canals will be constructed in 80,000 hectares of irrigated area. In addition, 1860 km of very old and dilapidated field canals in 62,000 hectares of irrigated area will be reconstructed into concrete canals, the CM said.
Priority is to ensure efficient use of water, equity in water distribution and adequate irrigation of farmers’ lands, he said, adding that Pani Panchayats have a big role to play in this direction. Currently, more than 39,000 Pani Panchayats are taking the lead in water management in the state. This allows everyone to participate in water management and also prevents water wastage.
The Chief Minister said more than Rs 13,223 crore has been provided in the current year’s budget for the development of water resources in the state. In the current budget, the process of starting the Brutang Irrigation Project in Nayagarh district, the Pipalpak Project in Ganjam district, the Upper Lanth Irrigation Project in Balangir district, the Samakoi Barrage Project in Angul district, 3 hill irrigation projects in Bargarh district and 7 in Nuapada district, 3 in Kalahandi district and 2 in Nuapada district, 359 group hill irrigation projects in Kalahandi, Balangir, Bargarh and Nuapada districts and 11,886 deep tube well projects has been expedited. He said that as the departmental minister, I am personally reviewing all these projects.
He further said that with the aim of bringing about a paradigm shift in agriculture, our government has taken steps for extensive use of technology in the field of water management. Soil moisture measurement system will be developed using digital technology. For this, the Indian Water Management Institute under ICAR has been affiliated. Xavier University has also been contacted for skill development of Pani Panchayats.
Addressing the farmers present, the Chief Minister said that farmers are the main source of state development. They are providing food to everyone. That is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed them as Annadatas. Both the central and state governments are implementing many schemes for the welfare of farmers. This year, a provision of Rs. 33,919 crore has been made in the agriculture budget for the development of agriculture in the state. Our government is in the happiness and sorrow of the farmers. Considering the unseasonal rains as a disaster, our government has decided to provide more than Rs. 291 crore as assistance to the affected farmers. 6.66 lakh farmers will get this assistance.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who is holding Agriculture portfolio, said the government is with the farmers and is making adequate arrangements for their growth. Arrangements are also being made to provide market linkages for the farmers’ production. He advised everyone to use water wisely, he added.
On this occasion, Development Commissioner Anu Garg said a large number of women are now taking the lead in Pani Panchayats and are doing very good work. Therefore, our focus is to include as many women as possible in Pani Panchayats. The interest of various states in the Pani Panchayat programme of Odisha has increased. Therefore, if everyone works well and together, Odisha’s fame at the national-level will increase further, she said.
Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department Arabinda Padhee and Chief Engineer of Water Resources Department Chandra Shekhar Padhi also spoke on the occasion.
On this occasion, Sashmita Nayak, a successful female farmer of a Pani Panchayat in Dhenkanal, and Bagal Charan Brahma, a successful farmer of a Pani Panchayat in Keonjhar district, shared their experiences about the success of Pani Panchayats.
The Chief Minister released a coffee table book titled ‘Irrigation Partnership 3.0’. A short film on irrigation partnership was screened on the occasion. Kriti Vidyarthi, a successful Pani Panchayat farmer, and Daksha Akhir were honoured.
