CHENNAI: More than five lakh farmers from the State are expected to benefit from the $455 million World Bank-backed Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation Project to promote climate-resilient agriculture technologies and increase market opportunities for small and marginal farmers, according to World Bank and Water Resources Department officials.
World Bank had sanctioned $318 million earlier this month for the seven-year project, which is expected to be implemented from this month. It is likely to be completed by June 2, 2025. The remaining funds will be borne by the State government, said a World Bank document available with Express.
The project will rehabilitate and modernise about 4,800 irrigation tanks and 477 check dams, spread across 66 sub-basins, in delivering bulk water to irrigation systems. The project includes Gummidipoondi, Nagariyar, Nandhiyar and Kovalam sub-basins, which are part of Chennai Basin.
This comes in the wake of four per cent shortfall in availability of water to fulfil the needs of the State. The total demand for water in the State is around 49.8 billion cubic metres against the supply of 47.8 billion cubic metres. “The gap between demand and supply in water is projected to increase to 11 per cent in 2020 and 17 per cent in 2050 unless drastic measures are taken to rectify the imbalances,” World Bank has said.
Water crisis has hit agriculture as a result of which growth of major crops has been stagnant. From 2000 to 2010, yield of rice and sugarcane grew by less than one per cent, according to a study commissioned by Tamil Nadu Planning Commission.
The project will rehabilitate and modernise irrigation infrastructure, including 4,800 tanks and 477 check dams, focussing on improving bulk water delivery to irrigation system and improving water use efficiency at farm levels covering 543,000 hectares in 66 sub-basins. The intervention will bring in more than 160,000 hectares of partially irrigated lands into full irrigation, said Water Resources Department sources.
Paddy is the dominant crop, occupying 34 per cent of total cropped areas, whereas fruits and vegetables are grown on 11 per cent and pulses and oilseeds on 14 per cent of total cropped areas in the State. By helping farmers access modern technologies, linking them to markets and providing post-harvest management support, the project will enable farmers to shift from a mono crop paddy system to mixed cropping, including high-value crops and millets.
The project will also support smallholder producers adopt new conservation technologies such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Sustainable Sugar Initiative (SSI). They reduce average water usage by 35 per cent and increase yields by 22 per cent per hectare. The project is expected to increase the yield of rice, maize, and pulses by 18-20 per cent.
The scheme will improve farmers involvement in management and operation of irrigation system and would create 3,200 new Water Users Association.
The project will promote aquaculture in 25,000 hectares of tanks, including 10,000 hectare area long seasonal tanks (with water availability for more than six months) and 15000 hectares short seasonal tanks (with water availability for less than six months). Furthermore, aquaculture will be introduced in 1000 farm ponds (100 hectare), including ponds excavated by the Agriculture Engineering Department in the sub-basins under the project, primarily for rainwater harvesting and storage.
Climate-resilient fish production systems, including introduction of fast-growing fish varieties, establishment of fish hatcheries, production of low-cost, quality fish feed, promotion of suitable market links for better access to markets, and promotion of increased fishing efficiency will also be promoted by providing effective equipment.