Banaskantha uses drip and micro irrigation systems
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has laid the foundation stones of projects worth over Rs.8,000 crores, several of which are related to water supply including the Kasara to Dantiwada Pipeline from the main Narmada Canal costing over Rs.1,560 crores.
The projects in Tharad in Banaskantha, Gujarat, will augment water supply and prove beneficial for farmers of the region.
He also announced several projects including the strengthening of the Sujlam Suflam Canal, the extension of the Modhera-Moti Dau pipeline to Mukteshwar Dam-Karmavat Lake, and lift irrigation scheme for 11 villages of Santalpur Taluka, among others.
“On one hand we have the Banas Dairy while on the other hand a 100 MW Solar Power Plant, we have accomplished the goal of getting tap water to every house in the region,” the Prime Minister added.
Modi noted that drip irrigation and micro irrigation techniques have drawn the attention of the entire country towards Banaskantha and also led to worldwide recognition.
He informed that 4 lakh hectares of land in Banaskantha are dedicated to using drip and micro irrigation that has resulted in the water table not getting depleted further.
“This is not just benefiting you but also securing the lives of future generations,” he said.
Highlighting the Sujalam-Sufalam Yojna, the Prime Minister praised the people of the region who have silenced all the critics with their effort and dedication and made the Sujalam-Sufalam Yojna a grand success.
He further added that village ponds have also been revitalized due to the laying of the pipeline and rising levels of groundwater.
The two pipelines that are about to be built will benefit more than one thousand village ponds.
Elaborating the project plans, the Prime Minister explained that the pipeline is being extended up to Mukteshwar Dam and Karmavat Talab and water is being lifted with the help of electric pumps at places with high altitudes.
He further added that a distribution canal is being constructed from the main canal of Narmada that will benefit dozens of villages in Tharad, Vav and Suigaon talukas.
“Many villages in 6 talukas of Patan and Banaskantha will also benefit from the Kasra-Dantiwada pipeline,” he said.
“In the coming time, water from Narmada river will come into Mukteshwar dam and Karmavat pond. This will benefit Vadgam in Banaskantha, Siddhapur in Patan and Kheralu taluka of Mahesana.”
“The central government is elaborating the scope of the food processing industry. Farmers are connecting producer unions and sakhi mandals with this sector,” the Prime Minister said.
Be it building a cold storage plant or a food processing plant, the government is assisting these organisations with crores of rupees, he informed.
“We are moving forward with a vision where the farmer is not just the owner of the pomegranate tree but also holds a share in the juice manufacturing unit.” fiinews.com
