Keonjhar: The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), a national mission to improve farm productivity and ensure better utilisation of resources in the country, has been floundering in this district due to lack of coordination among the departments concerned, a report said.
Farmers are hardly benefiting from this scheme in the absence of irrigation facilities in many areas. Poor coordination among the authorities of the Watershed Mission, the agriculture and horticulture departments has led to the state of affairs, it was learnt.
Many farmers observed that the programme’s execution has suffered due to faulty decisions at the top level.
PMKSY is aimed at conserving rainwater and utilising minimum water for maximum irrigational benefit. Under the programme, the Central provides 60 per cent of funds while the state government bears 40 per cent.
In this district, Rs 2.43 crore provided by the Watershed Mission for constructing check dams has reportedly been utilised in 2016-17.
It is alleged many projects, though completed under the scheme, do not come to the use of farmers.
The agriculture and horticulture departments have shown in records that hectares of farmland have been benefitted by the projects, but the reality is different, some farmers said.
Tribal farmers in Kusakala, Kalanda, Singhpur, Rabo, Jatra, Sukadola, Badakula, Podadiha, Jalahidi, Nayakote, Bhojidihi, Kalanda (B), Bhagatpur under Bansapal block, Mayurnachuni, Chandpasi, Balrai, Nuagaon, Kadadihi and Ambadali in Barbil block fail to harness the water of the check dams.
Experts say, in view of global climate change, changing pattern of rain and shrinking water resources, the scheme assumes much importance for agriculture, as it aims at utilising minimum water for maximum benefits.
The Watershed Mission has built ponds, dams and check dams in some pockets. But it is alleged the agriculture department has not provided sprinkler sets, lifting devices and motor pump sets to the beneficiaries. The projects under the scheme have failed to make much headway leading to a stalemate in it execution while farmers get upset over failure in reaping benefits from the completed projects.
Some farmers also pointed out that the horticulture department is not taking any step to ensure that they get subsidy in setting up nurseries of vegetable saplings and floriculture.
“Small dams, ponds and check dams are dug out under PMKSY so that famers in the project areas can make better use of water. Besides, interested farmers should be provided subsidy and agriculture implements. This will encourage more and more farmers to widen their activities,” said farmer Ramesh Chandra Mohant.
According to reports, as many as 65 check dams and ponds have been built in two years. However, fishery has been taken up only in nine ponds in Bansapal block with the help of the Watershed Mission.
Rough estimates say if all these projects are properly executed, over 24 hectares of land would be irrigated in rabi season in Bansapal block benefiting over 100 tribal families.
Tribal farmers say if the agriculture and horticulture departments encourage them to grow potato, mustard, tomato, brinjal, pulses and other crops, they would greatly benefit from the scheme.
It was learnt that several rounds of meetings were held at the district and departmental levels to ensure coordination among the two departments for greater benefit of farmers. The beneficiaries of the scheme have been identified too. PNN