In a move towards sustainable agriculture, Haryana’s State-Level Sanctioning Committee, led by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, sanctioned four solar-powered integrated micro irrigation projects. These projects, with a total budget of Rs 402.41 crore, will cover 61 canal outlets across 20 blocks in Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Kurukshetra, and Mahendragarh districts. The initiative aims to bring 11,040 hectares of land under advanced micro-irrigation systems, benefiting 8,926 farmers in 94 villages by 2028–29.
Allocations for the projects include Rs 95.78 crore for Bhiwani, Rs 114.68 crore for Jhajjar, Rs 77.17 crore for Kurukshetra, and Rs 114.78 crore for Mahendragarh. These allocations reflect a targeted effort to enhance irrigation infrastructure in water-stressed regions. The benefit-cost ratio of the projects ranges from 1.21:1 to 1.65:1, indicating economic viability and promising returns for farmers through improved water efficiency and increased productivity.
By promoting drip and sprinkler irrigation systems in canal command areas, the projects aim to boost water use efficiency, reduce losses, and enhance crop productivity. Chief Secretary Rastogi stressed the importance of integrated water management to tackle climate variability and increasing water demand in agriculture. He highlighted the shift to solar-powered systems to cut energy costs, promote sustainability, and align with clean energy objectives.
