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Our Bureau

To increase farm productivity, modernise irrigation

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Chennai Jan. 24 The World Bank has approved a $485-million (Rs 2,134 crore) package to Tamil Nadu to modernise its irrigation infrastructure, according to a press release from the World Bank.

The World Bank project to restore traditional water bodies and improve irrigated agriculture and water management in the State is to increase agriculture productivity. It will modernise irrigation system over 60,000 hectares, improve farm income and create 50,000 jobs.

The project is also designed to modernise irrigation systems spread across 63 sub-basins throughout the State.

There are 17 river basins in Tamil Nadu, and many of these are water stressed due to pollution, low supply and increasing competition from urban centres, the release said.

In the World Bank package, $335 million loan (Rs 1,474 crore) is from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and has 20 years to maturity including a 5-year grace period.

The International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's concessionary lending arm, is providing a credit of $150 million (Rs 660 crore) with 35 years to maturity and a 10-year grace period.

The activities of various agencies in irrigation, on-farm development, agriculture, horticulture, marketing, livestock, fisheries and applied research will be integrated for agriculture development.

The release, which quoted Mr Fayez Omar, Senior Manager, India Program and Acting World Bank Country Director for India, said, "Improved performance in agriculture and related areas can be the key to unlocking the tremendous potential of Tamil Nadu's rural areas."

The project will improve the productivity of water in irrigated agriculture and promote diversification into higher-value, less-water intensive crops.

It will focus on tank modernisation supported by the Central Government and the Water Resources Organisation and Water User Associations would be strengthened to improve irrigation service delivery.

The project also aims to improve the management of Cooum sub-basin that has a unique urban-rural linkage and poses a water quality challenge.

An outcome of the project would be increased area and reliability of irrigation, increased production, productivity and profitability of foodgrains, oilseeds, pulses, fruits, vegetables, sugarcane, green fodder, milk and fish in inland water bodies.

More Stories on : Farm credit | RBI & Other Central Banks | Tamil Nadu

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