Pravash Pradhan
Post News Network
New Delhi, March 30: In an effort to further extend the Rengali Irrigation Project in Orissa, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed an agreement with Government of India Monday to provide a loan of 33959 million Yen (approximately Rs 1800crore) under Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA). It is aimed at increasing irrigation and agriculture production in the region. The agreement was signed between Shinya Ejima, JICA chief representative and Tarun Bajaj, joint secretary in the Department of economic affairs.
The assistance provides for extension of the canal emanating from the Samal barrage from 71.313-km to 123.500-km on the left bank, and for development of associated distribution systems and ancillaries. The JICA has extended 17,174 million Yen (approx Rs 647crore) in ODA loans since 1997 in three tranches for development of this canal from 29.177km to 71.313km .
The assistance will enable irrigation of 39,416 hectares along the canal in Jaipur, Keonjhar and Dhenkanal districts, benefiting over 42,400 farmer families who depend on the vagaries of weather for agriculture.
Earlier, assistance from JICA has enabled irrigation of 27200 hectre, benefitting over 37000 farmer families for increasing farm production in the area.
“Development of Rengali irrigation project underscores optimal management of natural resource for enhanced agricultural productivity, both per hectare and per person. Participation of farmers in developing an irrigation system enhances self reliance of local communities, going by Japan’s experience,” said Ejima.
The Rengali irrigation project has facilitated cultivation in these localities throughout the year. JICA’s aid includes canal designing for equitable water distribution by mitigating overflow at the head of the canal and water storage at the tail end, and participatory irrigation management through water users associations, in which farmers’ participate in irrigation system development and in its subsequent operation and maintenance.
The civil-works for the current extension of the canal would be carried out by Department of Water Resources of Orissa government and scheduled for completion by 2023.
