ECONOMIC TRENDS

IRRIGATION

Irrigation is by far the most important part of the programme of agri- cultural development. Agriculture still remains an unpredictable gamble in the monsoons. The present poor productivity and profitability of agricultural operations are mainly due to the lack of irrigation facilities. This aspect received some attention of the planners in the recent past.

At present the district is very much deficient in irrigation facilities, as only about l.6 per cent of the gross cropped area is under irrigation. The government, however, undertook irrigation schemes, such as, construction of bandharas, construction and repairs of wells and installation of pumps for lift irrigation. By the end of the First Plan 833 wells were constructed and 651 electric motors and oil engines were installed by granting tagai loans. Besides, improvement of the below mentioned irrigation tanks which were begun in the First Plan was completed during the Second Plan. They were (1) Samudrapur Nistar tank, (2) Nandori Nistar tank, (3) Waigaon Haldya Nistar tank, (4) Kelgar tank, and (5) Karanja tank. A bandhara was constructed across the Gaimukh Nala near the village Garpit.

The Third Plan provided for an outlay of Rs. 37.93 lakhs for construction of wells, installation of pumping sets and minor irrigation works. The planned outlay, however, could not be spent during the plan period. The programme of construction of wells met with good results as 1408 wells were constructed as against the target of 1200. About 619 pumping sets were installed for lift irrigation purposes.

The construction of the Ashti tank taken up during the Second Plan was completed during the Third Plan. The tank has an irrigation potential of 900 acres. Besides, construction of the Wagholi bandhara, Dongar-gaon tank and Borkhedi tank was undertaken during the Third Plan. On completion these tanks were expected to create an irrigation potential of 3346 acres.

In addition to the above minor irrigation schemes, a medium irrigation project on the Bor river, was completed during the Third Plan. It has created an irrigation potential of 12,000 acres of land and is calculated to benefit a sizeable part of the district. This will change the agrarian economy of the district to a considerable extent.

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