The circular says this move will help to save 30-50 per cent water in the state. The circular has been issued by the state cooperative and marketing federation department on April 27.
In the backdrop of frequent droughts and a severe shortage of drinking water in growing urban areas, the Maharashtra government has issued the circular asking private- and cooperative-run sugar mills to mandatorily employ drip irrigation for sugarcane farms by June 2019.
The circular says this move will help to save 30-50 per cent water in the state. The circular has been issued by the state cooperative and marketing federation department on April 27.
"The majority of the water has been used for agriculture purpose while only 30 per cent water for drinking purpose. Sugarcane is known as a water-guzzling crop. By using drip irrigation system, a farmer can cut the huge costs of fertilizers, pesticides and others. And, at the same time, it will increase his farm productivity. In the traditional method, we are unnecessarily giving excessive water to sugarcane crop. We need to have water management," said the circular.
The implementation of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems will be made mandatory at river areas of Tembhu, Bhima Ujani, Mula, Uradapus, Nimmana in western Maharashtra while Hatnur in North Maharashtra, and Konali and Amboli in Vidharbha and Konkan region by June 2019.
As per studies, to grow the one hectare of sugarcane, at least 25,000 cubic metre water is required. "If drip irrigation has been used, then we can cut down from 25,000 cubic meters to 7,500 to 12,500 cubic metre water. We can save almost 30-50 per cent water here. Therefore, we need to bring the sugarcane field under drip irrigation on a large scale. This saved water can be used for other purposes," said a senior irrigation official, requesting anonymity.
In Maharashtra, 9.42 lakh hectares of fields are under sugarcane cultivation. Of these, so far 2.25 lakh hectare is already under drip irrigation while remaining 7.18 lakh hectare will also be covered by June 2019.
"This is a massive and challenging task. So, we have decided to provide basic infrastructure to farmers who solely depend on natural resources like river, dams and canal. We have also decided to provide them funds to purchase and instal the drip and sprinkling irrigation equipment," said another official.
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