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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | To save water, Maha govt wants 50% sugarcane crop on drip irrigation in 2 years -Surendra P Gangan

To save water, Maha govt wants 50% sugarcane crop on drip irrigation in 2 years -Surendra P Gangan

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published Published on May 16, 2017   modified Modified on May 16, 2017
-Hindustan Times

A report on sugar price policy for 2015-16 by union agriculture ministry had highlighted that Maharashtra’s sugarcane cultivation, which is less than 4% of the total cropped area, consumes 70% of water needed for irrigation

Following criticism over sugarcane crop guzzling potable water, particularly in drought-prone Marathwada, the state government is set to introduce a policy for shifting 50% of sugarcane farming on drip irrigation in the next two years.

Statistics revealed that sugarcane fields cover 10 lakh hectares across the state. But only 2.5 lakh hectares have been shifted on drip irrigation do far, while the rest of the crop on 7.25 lakh hectares is watered using the traditional flood irrigation. Experts said flood irrigation consumes three times the water required for drip irrigation. They also criticised the uneven distribution of water in drought-prone Marathwada, which witnessed severe water scarcity between 2011 and 2016.

A report on sugar price policy for 2015-16 by union agriculture ministry had highlighted that Maharashtra’s sugarcane cultivation, which is less than 4% of the total cropped area, consumes 70% of water needed for irrigation. It also stated that 2,100 litres of water is used to produce of a kilogram of sugar against 822 litres in Bihar.

Taking cognisance of the matter, the state drafted a policy to encourage sugarcane farmers to shift to drip irrigation and would be introducing a low interest loan scheme for making the switch.

“The average cost of drip irrigation set for a hectare is Rs85,000 , for which we chalked out a plan to disburse loans at 2% interest. The government and sugar factories will bear the remaining share of interest at 4% and 1.25% respectively. The farmers will have to clear the loan in five years. With the Centre’s help, the state intends to allocate Rs1,3000 for the project,” said Bijay Kumar, principal secretary, agriculture department.

Currently, the state gives capital subsidy of up to 30% on the total expenditure to encourage drip irrigation. However, delay in release of funds and inadequate assistance has kept farmers away from drip irrigation.

“The new policy will help farmers secure loans at just 2% interest. We are expecting a good response and have aimed to shift 50% cultivation under drip irrigation in the next two years. The state will have to bear the burden of Rs180 crore towards its share of 4% interest on loans for the next two years,” said another official from agriculture department.

The official added that draft policy will be tabled before the cabinet for approval in the next couple of weeks.

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Hindustan Times, 15 May, 2017, http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/to-save-water-maha-govt-wants-50-sugarcane-crop-on-drip-irrigation-in-2-years/story-yIHIYAX7Ldjgr3N9D8PQBI.html


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