SAMBALPUR: Signs of harsh summer are already here and water crisis in several irrigation pockets of the State look imminent. But, the farmers of Sambalpur district can heave a sigh of relief with Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) coming forward to provide irrigation facilities to small and marginal farmers.
Deep borewells will cover cultivated area of minimum two hectares under Deep Borewell Secha Karyakram (DBSK) under Biju Krushak Vikash Yojana of the State Government.
At least 61 under-privileged farmers in Bamra, Jamankira and Kuchinda blocks in the district will benefit under the scheme which will be also helpful in augmenting irrigation facility.
Under the DBSK scheme, an SC/ST cultivator belonging to BPL category can get a deep borewell installed on his farm land on payment of `9,000. Due to financial crunch, many farmers could not avail the scheme.
The district administration, under the leadership of Collector Balwant Singh, identified such under-privileged farmers and requested MCL to support DBSKS to help the farmers.
Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation (OLIC) is executing the project and borewells are likely to be handed over to the cultivators by next month-end, complete with electrification and pumping units.
Director (Personnel), MCL, Lila Nand Mishra said development at the grassroots can only ensure positive change.
The company will sponsor farmers by paying `9,000 to each of them, the Sambalpur Collector said. The farmers will now get water for both kharif and rabi crops and this will bring a positive change in their lives.
The scheme is applicable for farmers under Integrated Tribal Development Agency comprising blocks of Kuchinda, Jamankira and Bamra.
The borewells have been provided with power supply at many places and the remaining would be covered by March end, the Collector said.
With the fresh scheme, the total number of under-privileged farmers supported by MCL has gone up to 378 in Sambalpur district.