Sundargarh: The community lift irrigation projects have led to income enhancement and financial security of more than 45,000 farmers in Odisha’s Sundargarh district.
A network of perennial rivers like Brahmani, Koel, Sankha and Ichha flow through the tribal dominated district which is dotted by dense forest and hills. Besides, canals from streams at Khandadhar, Jarda, Kharapani and Lauda run across the district.
The district administration has facilitated construction of 8,485 lift irrigation projects to use water from these natural sources to irrigate farmland. Of those, 1,293 are community lift irrigation projects, while 7,141 are deep borewells. There are also 51 minor lift irrigation projects on various rivers.
These projects irrigate over 66,724 hectare of farmland, benefitting more than 45,000 farmers. “These projects have been playing an important role in supplementing the irrigation facility in the district thus increasing farmers’ income,” said Girish Chandra Behera, Executive Engineer, Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation (OLIC), Sundargarh Division.
Promoting community-based management of water resources, total 1,293 ‘Pani Panchayats’ have been formed in the district. The Pani Panchayats are delegated the responsibility of managing lift irrigation projects on completion.
“Due to improved irrigation facility, I am cultivating egg plant and chilli. So far, I have earned Rs 20,000-30,000 from the yield. In addition, the banana plantation is also expected to give me good returns,” said Prafulla Raxa, a farmer of the district.
The lift irrigation projects, developed by OLIC with the support of District Mineral Foundation (DMF), has helped the farmers not to depend on seasonal rainfall. They are now growing multiple crops annually which has augmented their livelihoods.
“I couldn’t even grow paddy due to unavailability of water. However, I am growing various vegetable, apart from paddy, on my land after the Lift Irrigation project came up on Ichha River in our area,” said Narsingh Naik Saletikra village under Lephripara block.
Naik’s wife Meena lends him a helping hand in growing variety of vegetables, like pointed gourd, egg plant, bitter gourd and papaya, on their land.
The irrigation facility has enabled them to plant banana on a patch of 70 decimal for which the Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC) has provided financial support. So far, Naik has earned over Rs 1.5 lakh from the sale of banana which has not only improved his living but also takes care of his college going daughters’ study.
