Irrigation Projects of Chhattisgarh

Irrigation has been a central feature of agriculture for over 5,000 years and has been developed independently by many cultures across the globe. Water has always been a source of prosperity for civilisations. Throughout history, reservoirs have been constructed for water supply, domestic use, and irrigation. Chhattisgarh’s economy is mainly based on agriculture and forestry. Agriculture accounts for around 38% of the state’s gross domestic product. There is a large variation in the monsoon pattern. This directly affects agriculture crops, mostly paddy. Irrigation is thus extremely important for Chhattisgarh. The irrigation potential created is also not fully utilised. Only 69% of created potential is utilised in Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh government has started many  irrigation projects which aim to improve rural livelihoods.

Need for the Irrigation in Chhattisgarh

Approximately 59,900 MCM of water drains into the Ganga, Godawari, Mahanadi, Narmada, and Brahmani rivers from the 137 thousand square kilometres of Chhattisgarh. With the exception of surface water used by neighbouring states, the state has access to 41,700 MCM. Only 22% of surface water is currently being utilised for irrigation, industrial and household purposes. Likewise, only 20% of groundwater is currently being utilized. Irrigation projects are very important and play a vital role.

About 80% of the state’s population lives in rural areas and is largely dependent on agriculture. The average rainfall in the state is 1300 mm, and the whole state is in the rice-climate zone. Changes in the monsoon directly impact agriculture crops (mainly paddy). In these circumstances, more irrigation facilities have become a primary need for the state.

Irrigation Projects In Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh Irrigation Development Project (CIDP) improved irrigation. Dry season (rabi) cropping became possible and gave many farmers the opportunity to improve their livelihood. Water users’ associations (WUAs) were established in Chhattisgarh in 1999 to manage local irrigation initiatives. In 2006, through the CIDP, the State of Chhattisgarh adopted the new Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) Act, which set out important changes for irrigation management and had significant implications for women’s participation in irrigation systems.

The Project aims to improve rural livelihoods and reduce rural poverty through improved irrigation service delivery, enhanced agricultural practices, and strengthened water resources management to increase the productivity of irrigated agriculture in Chhattisgarh.

The Kelo Irrigation Project is included under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna(PMKSY). It is one of the major irrigation projects in india.

The Project is receiving financial assistance of Rs. 40.63 crores from the center. This Project is implemented in the Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh. It is situated on the Kelo river, a tributary of the Mahanadi river. The Project will benefit 34815 hectares of land area covering 192 villages. This Project covers the area of Kharisia, Pussore, Raigarh, and Janjgir-Champa districts.

Irrigation Projects are classified into the following three categories:
Major, Medium and Minor Projects

Irrigation projects managed by the Water Resources Department: Major (3); Medium (26); Minor (2,892). 

Incomplete / Ongoing projects: Major (4); Medium (9); Minor (348).

Some Major and Medium Irrigation Projects in Chhattisgarh are

Influence of irrigation on Chhattisgarh economy

The economy of the state is mainly based on agriculture and forestry. The agriculture sector contributes around 38% to the State’s Net Domestic Product. Of the total workforce of 8.3 million, 5.9 million (71%) are engaged in agriculture.

Increasing the productivity of agriculture is vital to the overall development of Chhattisgarh’s economy, improvement in rural livelihood, and poverty reduction. Expansion of irrigation is a primary strategy of GOCG to increase agricultural productivity. GOCG’s 5-Year Plan (FYP) has allocated approximately $500 million to water resources and irrigation development from 2002 to 2007. The amount represents over 20% of GOCG’s development expenditures for a planned expansion of 360,000 ha during the current FYP. 

It is estimated that about 75% of the gross sown area of the state can be irrigated with proper use and management of available water resources. Irrigation potential was 1.328 Million hectares at the time of formation of the state (i.e., on 1st November 2000), which was 23% of the gross sown area. The irrigation potential has now been raised to 1.844 Million hectares at the end of Mar 2012, which is 33.15% of the gross sown area.

Conclusion

The department is leaving no stone unturned for increasing the irrigated area in Chhattisgarh. Many irrigation projects for the creation of additional irrigation potential, restoration of irrigation capacity of existing projects, and increasing the utilization of the created potential have been taken up. The area of irrigated land in Chhattisgarh, India, has risen considerably as the outcome of regular hard work made by the state government to increase the irrigation facilities in the state. Today, the irrigated area in Chhattisgarh has increased to 34.20 percent. The requirement for irrigation water has increased manifold with the development of new techniques in the field of agriculture.