Massive action plan for micro irrigation

Hyderabad, Sep 30 (UNI) The Horticulture Department in Andhra Pradesh has a massive 'action plan' to bring in 1.20 lakh hectares under Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation Programme (APMIP)--(90,000 hectares under drip and 30,000 hectares under sprinkler) with a total financial outlay of Rs 496.74 crore.

Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who reviewed the horticulture, sericulture and oil palm development in the state asked the officials to create awareness among the farmers about the huge benefits of micro irrigation. Once they were convinced and reaped the fruits of micro irrigation, they would go all out for it, Dr Reddy added.

Dr Reddy was explained that subsidy for drip and sprinkler irrigation was enhanced to 70 per cent in all districts. Sprinkler systems was restricted to 25 per cent of the total area for more drip coverage.

Under 2006-09 action plan, total eight lakh hectares is to be brought under Lift Irrigation at a total expenditure of Rs 8,194.24 crore with a subsidy of 1,264 crore. Focussed crops are mango, sweet orange, sapota, pomegranate, banana, papaya, cashew, flowers, coriander and turmeric. The total financial outlay for 2007-09 is Rs 15,937.67 crore.

Under oil palm development programme, total potential area identified in the state was four lakh hectares, area covered upto 2006-07 was 65,253 hectares, and area proposed to cover in 2007-08 is 15,000 hectares with a financial outlay for 2007-08 of Rs 3,197.898 lakh.

As far as sericulture was concerned, 60 lakh people are engaged in the silk industry and 55 per cent of the total income goes to farmers in the country. In Andhra Pradesh, one lakh farmers are involved with one lakh acres under cultivation with a total of six lakh persons engaged in the business.

UNI