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Drip irrigation need of the hour: CM

Says method will help save 30-40 per cent water and enhance productivity as compared to flood irrigation method.

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Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, on Saturday, expressed the need for making drip irrigation compulsory for sugarcane cultivation in the state. He also mooted banning flood irrigation for the purpose.

Referring to the drought-like situation, Chavan said that productivity and yield can be enhanced through drip irrigation.

“Experts are of the view that drip irrigation will result in saving 30 to 40 per cent water. State sugar factories’ federation should take up a program for three years in this regard,” Chavan said, citing the example of cotton growers in Vidarbha who have turned to drip irrigation.

Chavan was speaking at the 56th annual general meeting of the Maharashtra state co-operative sugar factories federation and the 36th annual general meeting of the Vasantdada Sugar Institute. Union minister for agriculture Sharad Pawar, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, minister for co-operation Harshawardhan Patil, minister of state for co-operation Prakash Solanki, federation president Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, cabinet minister Jayant Patil, minister in the state cabinet Babanrao Pachpute, National Sugar Federation president Kallappa Awade and others were present at the event.

Chavan assured that he will discuss the report of the Rangarajan Committee with Pawar and industry captains before discussing it in the state cabinet. “The report aims at making the sugar industry free from all restrictions. It also intends to open the sector for competition and open market,” he said.

Pawar said that prime minister Manmohan Singh has suggested to make a policy for increasing the yield per hectare. “For maximum yield with minimum water, there is no alternative for drip irrigation. Providing water directly to sugarcane by flowing it in the field needs to be stopped. In Sangli, excessive use of water has resulted in reducing the yield and affected the quality of the soil,” he added.

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