1 week ago
Government Urges Farmers to Conserve Groundwater During Kharif
The government is worried that there may not be enough water for farms this crop season.
It said only about seven lakh acres may receive water from irrigation projects.
Rainfall has not added much water to the ground or reservoirs.
Officials must teach farmers to use borewell water carefully.
Farmers are being asked not to take more groundwater than their crops need.
They are also being discouraged from using automatic pump starters.
Water demand may rise in September and October.
The government also wants thousands of tanks and lakes restored to help refill groundwater.
The government said only around seven lakh of 30-lakh-odd agricultural acres under various projects may receive irrigation water this Kharif season.
Officials were directed on Friday to educate farmers about using groundwater carefully and judiciously.
Farmers are to be discouraged from using automatic starter motors and extracting more borewell water than needed.
Officials must prepare daily groundwater availability reports for farmers.
Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao urged restoration of 44,000 tanks and lakes to help recharge groundwater.
- Who
- The state government, agriculture and panchayat raj officials, farmers, and Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao.
- What
- The government ordered a campaign for careful groundwater use and requested daily reports on groundwater availability.
- Where
- In the state, including agricultural areas supplied by various irrigation projects.
- When
- The directions were issued on Friday for the remainder of the Kharif crop season, with increased water needs expected in September and October.
- Why
- Recent rainfall has not significantly replenished groundwater, reservoir levels are discouraging, and the monsoon is expected to weaken further.
Key facts
- Potentially irrigated area
- Around seven lakh acres
- Agricultural area under projects
- More than 30 lakh acres
- Key concern
- Unsatisfactory groundwater reserves
- Expected difficult months
- September and October
- Required reporting
- Daily groundwater availability reports
- Water-recharge measure
- Restoration of 44,000 tanks and lakes
- Meeting focus
- Preparedness for El Nino conditions
Sources
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