The Hindu Business Line : Micro-irrigation scheme cleared

THE Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday gave its approval for implementation of the Centrally-sponsored scheme on micro-irrigation during the Tenth Five-Year plan at a total cost of Rs 2,091.85 crore.

While the Central Government share will be Rs 850 crore, State governments share will be Rs 207 crore with the remaining amount being the contribution of farmers. An amount of Rs 400 crore has been provided for the scheme in Budget 2005-06. The projection for 2006-07 is Rs 450 crore.

During two years of the Tenth plan period, 6.2 lakh hectares would be brought under micro-irrigation. The scheme will try to increase the area under drip and sprinkler irrigation to improve crop productivity with efficient use of available water resources and to develop the skills of farmers and field functionaries through human resource development.

The CCEA also gave its approval for implementation of the project `Seed production in agricultural crops and fisheries' at 85 centres and nodes of state and central agricultural universities, Indian Councils of Agricultural Research with a total budget of Rs 198.89 crore including Rs 111.37 crore for works.

The benefits of the project include enhancement in the availability and quality of planting material and seed, fast spread of new and improved varieties of planting materials, among others.