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PM seeks greater synergy between agricultural, water policies

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Hindustan Times 10.12.2009

PM seeks greater synergy between agricultural, water policies

Voicing concern over climatic distortions adversely affecting ground water table and impacting crop productivity, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday sought greater synergy between agricultural and water policies.

"This year we had floods in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere. At the same time around 300 districts of the country were declared as drought affected. These imbalances will only intensify with climatic distortions. Moreover, there are concerns that climate change may also adversely impact ground water table and its quality, affecting crop productivity," he said.

Improvement in irrigation is key not only to step up agricultural productivity but also the strategy for sustainable water use, he said.

"There has to be greater synergy between our water and agricultural policies with a view to securing food supply," the Prime Minister said.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 5th Asian Regional Conference of International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage here, Singh said that in order to address the complex inter-relationships between different sectors of the economy, the government has formed the National Water Commission, which is among the eight missions part of National Action Plan on Climate Change.

With climate change set to have unpredictable consequences on water regime, the action plan, he said, aims at increasing water use efficiency by 20 per cent and promote basin level integrated water resources management.

Singh said the target of doubling annual growth rate of agriculture to four per cent during the 11th Plan is the top priority of his government.

"To achieve this, we are sharply increasing public investment in agriculture. The most important area for investment in agriculture relates to the provision of water and its efficient use. In fact, we hope to be able to add 16 million hectares to the irrigated area during the Plan period," he said.

Noting that efficient use of crop water can increase the gross irrigated area either by increasing the irrigated cropped area or the irrigation intensity, the Prime Minister said the second green revolution could come from technologies developed in the private sector.

"It is essential that private investment and innovation be incorporated with a broader vision and strategy of development in the agriculture and water sectors," Singh said.

Describing farmers as principal stakeholders in agricultural water management initiatives, the Prime Minister said, "Water related issues need to be addressed with full involvement of local people and taking into account the local conditions. Farmers should be consulted in any agricultural water management initiatives. Women too play a key role in food production activities in many countries. A special effort should be made to involve them in decision making."

Minister for Water Resources Pawan Kumar Bansal was also present on the occasion.

Last Updated on Thursday, 10 December 2009 11:01
 

City sewage to irrigate 25,000 hectare land

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The Times of India 04.11.2009

City sewage to irrigate 25,000 hectare land

PUNE: The untreated sewage generated within the corporation limits of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad has finally found its use. Titled Purandar lift irrigation scheme', the ambitious Rs 250-crore project aims to lift 875 mld (million litre per day) of liquid waste from Mula, Mutha and Pavana rivers to irrigate 25,000 hectare land in the drought-prone areas of Purandar, Baramati and Daund talukas for at least 160 days a year.

The Water Resource Department of the state government along with Krishna Khore Development Board has sanctioned Rs 250 crore for the project, which is 80 per cent complete and is likely to become completely operational by June 2010. Currently, 10,000 hectare land is being provided treated water from the three rivers.

"Farmers in the drought-prone areas of Purandar, Baramati and Daund are deprived of irrigation facility, which has resulted in several agitations. Hence, the idea to reuse liquid effluents was given a thought," said Avinash Surve, superintending engineer of Pune irrigation circle.

The work on installing pumps, construction of intake wells and laying pipelines has been completed at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore. The project has an additional provision of Rs 50 crore, added Surve. The work on the lift irrigation scheme of liquid waste was taken up in 1999. However, for various reasons, the work did not progress, he added.

"Over 650 mld of sewage is generated in PMC and PCMC areas. A partial amount of which gets treated through sewage treatment plants (STP), but the rest eventually runs into rivers resulting in river pollution. The project will utilise this liquid waste for farming purposes," said P K Mirashe, regional officer of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

The objective of every lift irrigation schemes is to provide water to fields located at higher altitude. At some places, water can't be provided to the fields as the level of the field is higher than the source of water. In this case water is required to be lifted at a convenient higher spot from which it can be supplied to the fields under command, said Sharad Dabhadkar, executive engineer of minor irrigation department of Pune division.

"In such schemes, the most important and yet the most neglected portion is distribution of water. But this aspect has been meticulously addressed in Purandar lift irrigation scheme. The whole water lifted is being used through pipe distribution system which delivers equal quantity of water at all the outlets at the same time. This is the state-of-art-technology used for the scheme. Pune city uses almost 13 tmc of water and PCMC uses five tmc of water. This water after use for domestic purposes gets regenerated as an effluent which is partially treated by the PMC and PCMC," said Surve.

 

Municipal Corporation proposal irks farmers

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The Hindu 15.07.2009

Municipal Corporation proposal irks farmers

 

Staff Reporter

 

 

 

They react angrily to Pradyumna’s speech

 

 

 


They oppose land acquisition for housing project on 60:40 formula

VMC proposal will result in their land value diminishing, they fear


 

 

VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) attempts to acquire land at Devi Nagar by involving the farmers in a housing project on 60:40 basis did not fructify, here on Tuesday.

Municipal Commissioner P.S. Pradyumna’s words instigated the farmers to react aggressively and oppose the proposal in toto. The commissioner’s speech unfolded a high voltage drama at the meeting, and farmers became emotional. They said a big “no” to 60:40 formula and suggested that the commissioner go for land acquisition and pay the compensation as per market value putting an abrupt end to the meeting.

According to the proposal made by the commissioner, the VMC would develop the land to provide amenities like roads, UGD and water with its funds. While the VMC keeps 40 per cent of the land developed, the land owners would get 60 per cent. The VMC is contemplating constructing houses under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme at Devi Nagar, he said.

“You will not get recourse even if you see your MLA/MP or even Chief Minister. I suggest you to be part of the development process,” Mr. Pradyumna said, “None will come forward to purchase your lands, if it was notified under Land Acquisition Act, or you move the court of law. Even the Chief Minister would, at the most, suggest you to go for an agreement, which suits you.”

“You (farmers) need the Corporation’s and UDA’s help if you want to develop a layout in your land after some time. If you agree to “our proposal positively”, some of the issues like VLT, building plans etc could be sorted out at “my level.” If need be, “I would give an undertaking” that the land would be developed in a year, and also would protect your lands from encroachments for next two years, he said.

But, the farmers were reluctant to heed his suggestions and promises. They stuck to their argument that their land values would diminish if rehabilitation colonies came up in their vicinity if the land was developed on 60:40 basis.

Mr. Pradyumna, trying to ease the situation, said he neither intended to hurt their feelings nor was trying to threaten them. “Housing is one of the prestigious projects of the State government. I was only trying to put across various options before you,” he said, and left the meeting hall bringing an abrupt end to the meeting.

Earlier, in charge Sub Collector B. L. Chennakesava Rao, VMC Chief City Planner P. Timma Reddy, Vijayawada (Urban) Tehsildar Ch. Ramesh Babu made futile attempts to convince the farmers to agree for the proposal.

 


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