Give an account of Minor Irrigation Projects of Uttar Pradesh with sultable examples
Uttar Pradesh (UP), the most populous state
in India, has a vast and diverse agricultural sector. With around 80% of its
population depending on agriculture and allied activities for livelihood,
irrigation becomes a key factor in the success of farming. While major
irrigation projects like large dams and canals play a significant role, minor
irrigation projects are equally important, especially in providing localized
and sustainable water sources for small and marginal farmers.
Minor irrigation
schemes are typically those projects that have a culturable command area (CCA)
of less than 2,000 hectares. These include tube
wells, dug wells, ponds, check dams, lift irrigation, and other
small-scale water harvesting and irrigation methods. This article provides a
detailed account of such projects in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting their
significance, types, regional distribution, challenges, and suitable examples.
Importance of Minor Irrigation Projects in Uttar Pradesh
Minor
irrigation is crucial in a state like UP due to the following reasons:
1.Support for Small
Farmers: Over 85% of farmers in
UP own small or marginal landholdings. Minor irrigation projects cater well to
their localized needs.
2.Flexibility and
Low Cost: These projects require
relatively less investment and time for construction. They are easier to manage
and maintain.
3.Reduces Dependence
on Monsoon: In areas with
erratic rainfall, these projects ensure continuous water supply for crops.
4.Groundwater
Utilization: UP has vast
groundwater resources, and minor irrigation, especially through tube wells and
dug wells, helps harness it effectively.
5.Improves Cropping
Intensity: Farmers can grow
multiple crops annually due to assured irrigation from these sources.
Types of Minor Irrigation Projects in Uttar Pradesh
Minor
irrigation schemes in Uttar Pradesh can be broadly divided into two categories:
1. Groundwater-Based Minor Irrigation Projects
These depend on
groundwater sources and include:
·
Private Tube Wells
·
Government Tube Wells
·
Dug Wells
·
Bore Wells
·
Hand Pumps and Submersible Pumps
Example:
·
In the districts
of Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, and Bijnor,
private tube wells are a major source of irrigation. Due to abundant
groundwater availability, farmers install electric or diesel tube wells to
irrigate sugarcane, wheat, and paddy crops.
2. Surface Water-Based Minor Irrigation Projects
These use
surface water bodies and include:
·
Tanks and Ponds
·
Check Dams
·
Canal Diversions
·
Lift Irrigation Schemes
·
Water Harvesting Structures
Example:
·
In Bundelkhand region, surface-based
projects like check dams and water
harvesting tanks are constructed under schemes like Jal Shakti Abhiyan
to conserve water and improve irrigation.
Geographical Distribution of Minor
Irrigation in UP
Different parts
of Uttar Pradesh use different types of minor irrigation depending on
geography, soil, and water availability:
1. Western Uttar Pradesh
·
Well-developed
agriculture and groundwater availability.
·
Major reliance on
private tube wells.
·
Districts:
Meerut, Saharanpur, Baghpat, Bulandshahr.
2. Central Uttar Pradesh
·
Mixed use of tube
wells and canal diversions.
·
Crops like wheat,
pulses, and vegetables benefit from minor schemes.
·
Districts:
Lucknow, Unnao, Raebareli, Kanpur.
3. Eastern Uttar Pradesh
·
Rich in water
bodies; ponds and lift irrigation used.
·
Paddy cultivation
benefits from minor irrigation.
·
Districts:
Gorakhpur, Ballia, Deoria, Varanasi.
4. Bundelkhand Region
·
Drought-prone
with hard rocky terrain.
·
Check dams and
water harvesting tanks used.
·
Districts:
Jhansi, Lalitpur, Chitrakoot, Banda.
Government Initiatives and Schemes
for Minor Irrigation
The state
government and the central government have launched several programs to promote
and fund minor irrigation in UP:
1. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
·
Aims to expand
the area under irrigation.
·
Supports creation
of small irrigation sources like farm ponds, tube wells, and drip irrigation.
2. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
·
Encourages investment
in agriculture infrastructure including minor irrigation.
·
Supports
individual and community-based irrigation structures.
3. UP Minor Irrigation Department Projects
·
The Department of Minor Irrigation and Groundwater
constructs government tube wells and supports check dams, ponds, and recharge
structures.
4. MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act)
·
Used to create
water conservation structures like ponds and bunds.
·
Involves local
participation and labor employment.
5. Atal Bhujal Yojana
·
Launched in
water-stressed districts like those in Bundelkhand to manage groundwater
resources and promote efficient irrigation.
Examples of Successful Minor
Irrigation Projects in Uttar Pradesh
1. Check Dam Projects in Bundelkhand
·
In Chitrakoot and
Banda, the government constructed hundreds of small check dams using funds from
PMKSY and MGNREGA.
·
These check dams
collect rainwater during monsoon, which is then used for irrigation during dry
months.
2. Revival of Ponds in Gorakhpur
·
Under the Jal
Shakti Mission, abandoned ponds were cleaned and deepened in Gorakhpur
district.
·
These ponds now
irrigate paddy fields and support fisheries as well.
3. Government Tube Wells in Sitapur
·
The Department of
Minor Irrigation installed solar-powered government tube wells in Sitapur to
provide assured irrigation.
·
Benefitted small
farmers by reducing diesel costs and improving yields.
4. Lift Irrigation in Azamgarh
·
In flood-prone
and waterlogged areas of Azamgarh, lift irrigation was used to divert water
from nearby rivers and canals to higher agricultural lands.
·
Helped farmers
grow vegetables and pulses on otherwise uncultivable lands.
Challenges in Minor Irrigation in
Uttar Pradesh
Despite their
benefits, several challenges affect the effective functioning of minor
irrigation projects:
1. Groundwater Depletion
·
Excessive use of
tube wells in western UP has led to a decline in groundwater levels.
2. Poor Maintenance
·
Government-installed
tube wells and ponds often suffer from lack of upkeep due to poor coordination
or funding gaps.
3. Land Encroachment
·
Many traditional
ponds and tanks are encroached upon, reducing water storage capacity.
4. Energy Dependency
·
Diesel-run pumps
are costly and polluting. Even electric pumps depend on irregular power supply
in rural areas.
5. Lack of Awareness and Training
·
Farmers are often
not trained in efficient irrigation practices such as drip or sprinkler
systems.
Steps for Improvement and
Sustainable Development
To overcome the
challenges and improve the reach of minor irrigation:
1.Promotion of Solar
Pumps: Government should provide
subsidies for solar-powered pumps to reduce diesel dependence.
2.Desilting and
Restoration: Traditional water
bodies like tanks and ponds should be revived.
3.Community
Involvement: Local committees
can take responsibility for maintenance and monitoring.
4.Rainwater
Harvesting: Rooftop and
farm-level rainwater harvesting structures can help recharge groundwater.
5.Technology Use: Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to
identify suitable sites for minor irrigation structures.
6.Integrated
Approach: Combine minor
irrigation with crop planning, water conservation, and soil health management.
Minor irrigation projects form the backbone
of rural agriculture in Uttar Pradesh. They ensure that even the smallest
farmer gets access to water, which is vital for increasing crop productivity,
ensuring food security, and improving livelihoods. With the right policies,
local participation, and sustainable practices, minor irrigation can play a
transformative role in the rural economy of the state.
Investing in
these projects is not just about water – it's about empowering millions of
farmers, making agriculture more resilient to climate change, and ensuring
inclusive development across the regions of Uttar Pradesh.
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