Micro Irrigation Scheme helps improve economic position of 11 lakh farmers

Mumbai, Aug 8/8/2019 : With effective and transparent implementation of micro irrigation scheme in the state during last five years, economic position of nearly 11 lakh farmers has improved. Besides, 9 lakh ha areas has been brought under micro irrigation, said Agriculture Minister Dr Anil Bonde here today.

Various measures were taken during the last five years to take this micro irrigation scheme to the maximum farmers and to encourage their participation in it. These measures included lessening the number of documents from 24 to 9 required to be attached with the application for this scheme. This has resulted in increasing administrative speed and percentage of sanctioning applications.

The agriculture department has taken initiative to bring the farmers on the digital platform. As a part of this “e-Thibak” software is prepared for accepting applications for this scheme. Facility for online registration under this scheme is available thus the entire procedure of registration to grant is done online by the computers. The beneficiary farmer is intimated of action taken at each step through SMS on his mobile phone. This has brought in maximum transparency in the implementation of this scheme, the Agriculture Minister said.

Facility to submit new applications even after the 30-day pre-consent period of this scheme has been made available. Since 2014, approximately 9 lakh ha area has been brought under micro irrigation which has resulted in raising the economic position of nearly 11 lakh farmers. Additional Rs 337 crore has been sanctioned for 8 districts of Marathwada for a period of three years, Dr Bonde said.