Development of assured irrigation capacity should be priotized: CS

Ranchi, Dec. 29: Chief Secretary Rajiv Gauba said that development of assured irrigation capacity should be priotized and to ensure this, capacity of old ponds, big dams and lakes should be increased.

These schemes should be started at the earliest since land acquisition and other matters are related with this. He said it while conducting a meeting on agriculture and allied areas in his office chamber at Project Building.
Gauba said that out of the 30% land having irrigation capacity, only 12% are irrigated.

Hence he gave work order to be prepared for cent percent development of irrigation capacity. He also directed to prepare a detailed work plan for agricultural unused land. He said that kushal krishi pratha should be run and advertized.

The Principal Secretary, Water Resource Development informed the CS that water has been released in some new ponds. It was decided in the meeting to expand and develop agricultural land in catchment areas of these ponds.

Gauba said that proper arrangement for the proliferation of Sahbhagi Krishi Pranali should be made. In the meeting, it was decided to get more crops from the land in the next season and implement crop procurement plan so that the farmers can have buy back guarantee for their grain.

It was also decided to propose work plan to get more crop under zero teelage technique in the paddy fields. It was also decided in the meeting that fisheries should be given the status of agriculture & animal husbandry should be boosted up as a source of alternative income.

The CS told the departments that there will be a review meeting on 4th January on the actions taken on the given points with a view to include it in the budget of the next financial year.

Principal Secretary, Finance, RDD, Water Resource Department, Agriculture & Animal Husbandry, VC, Birsa Agriculture University along with DCs of 4 districts was present in the meeting.