Irrigation

Submitted by admin on Wed, 02/04/2009 - 11:40

Agriculture is the main stay of the economy of Tripura. Irrigation is an important input for enhancing the productivity of the agricultural sector. Till 1978, less emphasis was given in irrigation development in the state. To meet up growing demand of the increased population in the state, the need of irrigation has became obvious. Irrigation sector accordingly got priority in development during ninth plan onwards. The area covered under irrigation till 1978 was only 4383 ha., which rose to 40383 ha. at the end of March 1998. It is estimated that the state has an area under paddy and horticultural crops for 1,78,000 ha. This quantum of land is immediately visualised for irrigation need. The pace of development was accelerated since then and by now coverage has been raised upto 98,390 ha at the end of March, 2009.

Tripura state in the North Eastern Region of India has a total land area of 10492 sq.km. The climate conditions and the non-rocky soils in the state are very favourable for cultivation of wide range of crops especially the horticultural crops. Amid the undulating terrain, the land under cultivation in the state as per current survey conducted by the State Agriculture Department of the state is 2,55,241 ha, which is 24.33% of the State's total area. The majority of the inhabitants and their agricultural activities are confined to the interspersed plain lands. Although 60% of the state population is dependent on it, the primary sector contributes about 25% of the State's GSDP. The average land holding in the state is 0.97 ha. and farmers are dominantly small and marginal.

One of the principal objectives of the Government of Tripura is to extend assured irrigation to agricultural land. Apart from ensuring coverage of more cultivable lands under assured irrigation, the aim is to increase cropping intensity, thereby optimising the utilization of the limited land assets for improvement of the socio-economic condition of rural masses.

There is no major irrigation project in Tripura. Gumti, Khowai and Manu are the three medium irrigation projects in the State. All these medium irrigation projects have been commissioned partially and the target for completion of these projects are- i) 31-03-2010 for Khowai ii) 31-03-2011 for Gumti and Manu. The major source of irrigation is minor irrigation projects like lift irrigation, deep tube wells, diversion schemes, shallow tube wells, 5 HP pumps, water harvesting structures, tanks etc.

The irrigation programmes of the State is being jointly implemented by the Public Works Department (Water Resources), Rural Development Department (RDD), Agriculture Department and the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). Nearly all the minor irrigation schemes have been handed over to Gaon Panchayats/ Panchayat Samities for better operation, maintenance and upkeep. The Government is implementing an action plan to expand irrigation coverage up to 1,17,000 ha within 2010-11.