1. T
he Gujarat Green Revolution
Company (GGRC) is the nodal agency
implementing the Micro Irrigation
Scheme in the state of Gujarat. The scheme
is being implemented in a uniform and
integrated way, since May 2005, in
consonance with the provisions set out in
the government resolution PRCH-102005-
497-N dated 09/05/2005 of the Narmada,
Water Resources, Water Supply and
Kalpasar Department to be read with the
subsequent government resolution dated
31/03/2008.
SUBSIDY NORMS
Under the Scheme, a farmer is entitled to a
subsidy of 50% of the MIS cost or Rs 60,000
per hectare whichever is less (MIS cost is
based on the crop spacing as indicated in
the Government of India - National Mission
on Micro Irrigation (NMMI) Guidelines).
The tribal farmers are entitled to an
additional subsidy of 25% (i.e. 75% of MIS
cost or Rs 90,000 per hectare) whichever is
less.
In the dark zone areas, an additional 10%
is provided as subsidy (ie 60% of MIS cost
or Rs 60,000 per hectare) whichever is less.
DISTINCT FEATURES OF THE MICRO
IRRIGATION (MI) SYSTEM
The Micro Irrigation Scheme under this
modality is operated on a farm-to-farm
micro project basis wherein every micro
irrigation system is tailor made compatible
with the farm geometry, and cropping
pattern and water source. The scheme is
being implemented with assistance of 44
registered MIS suppliers appointed by
GGRC, who design, supply and install the
MI systems on the field. The distinct
features of the MI system are as follows:
The MI system comprises hardware in the
form of equipments and also software that
is provided to the farmers in the form of
knowledge and technology.
After the installation of the MI system,
agronomical services are provided to the
farmer for a period of one year (ie spanning
two cropping seasons) by the MIS
supplier(s), to enhance crop productivity
and economic returns to the farmers.
Under the system, agricultural advisory
services such as weather forecast, mandi
rates of two crops (of two mandis of
farmer's choice), and other agriculture
related news is provided to the farmers
through mobile messaging (SMS) in the
vernacular language. This information is
made available to the farmers on a daily
basis which enables
them to make an
informed decision.
Maintenance services
of the MI system are
provided to the farmers
for a period of five years
through after sales
service rendered by the
MIS suppliers.
The MI system provides
for warranty /
guarantee of the
equipments for a period
of five years.
Insurance coverage is
provided by New India
Assurance Company
Ltd, for the micro
irrigation system along
with Janta Personal Accident Policy for the
farmer worth the value of the micro
irrigation system for a period of one year.
To ensure the technical stability of the
system, GGRC has made it mandatory for
MIS supplier(s) to ensure strict adherence
to quality standards in the use of MIS
components which must conform to BI
standards.
To confirm this position, GGRC has
instituted a mechanism of third party
inspections wherein three technical
agencies viz. Central Institute of Plastics
Engineering and Technology (CIPET),
Gujarat Engineering Research Institute
(GERI) and Gujarat Industrial Research and
Development Agency (GIRDA) have been
tasked with the responsibility to
periodically inspect the MI components at
the factory site of all the MIS suppliers.
Furthermore, after the system installed
on the farmers field by MIS suppliers, the
system is once again inspected through a
third party inspection agency. For this
purpose, GGRC has appointed seven third
party inspection agencies (TPIAs), to
conduct inspections of the installed system
on every farmers field, wherein the
inspecting agency verifies that the material
supplied is as per the specifications enlisted
in the quotation, the system installed is as
per design and that the system is fully
operational.
TPIA inspectors are equipped with
android based E-Capture Solutions which
enables the inspector to capture and upload
photographs of the installed MI system at
site, along with GPS coordinates, using a
mobile phone, onto the GGRC server, for
subsequent verification and monitoring of
the installation site on Google map by
GGRC.
By providing the micro irrigation facility
as a holistic and technically stable system,
GGRC is also conforming to NMMI
guidelines, which is system specific and
applicable to all states implementing the MI
scheme.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
Electricity connection is sanctioned on an
overriding priority to the farmers who
adopt the micro irrigation system. Quality
and reliable power is provided to the
agricultural sector in accordance to a pre-
announced schedule.
From the year 2006 till August-2013; 55,166
numbers of farmers have adopted micro
irrigation
systems over a
cumulative area
of 66,055 hectares.
53,185 numbers of
farmers have
been provided
with agriculture
electricity
connections on
priority. The
Energy
Department has
taken an
initiative to
provide
agriculture
electricity
connections on a
priority basis, to
the wait listed
farmers who adopt MIS in 57 notified dark
zone talukas in the state. Till August-2013;
22,793 farmers in the dark zone have
adopted micro irrigation system covering
an area 33,329 hectares. 15,605 numbers of
farmers have been provided with
agriculture electricity connections in dark
zone areas.
Tribal farmers in 43 notified talukas of 12
districts are entitled for 25% additional
subsidy from Tribal Development
Department. Under
the scheme, from the
year 2008-09 to
August-2013; 1,00,060
tribal farmers have
adopted micro
irrigation systems
over a cumulative
area of 1,35,709
hectares.
Hundred per cent
funding is provided
by government for
pressurized
irrigation network system (PINS) installed
on government tube-wells to facilitate MIS
on individual farms.Canal water use
through MIS attracts lower water tariff as
compared to flood irrigation.
CONCURRENT MONITORING AND
EVALUATION OF THE MICRO IRRIGATION
SCHEME:
The Agricultural Finance Corporation
(GoI) has been commissioned by GGRC to
conduct a concurrent evaluation of the
scheme on an annual basis.
Based on the above findings, the pay-back
period for the beneficiary farmers and for
the government has been estimated at 2
cropping seasons.
SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA, AHMEDABAD
SEPTEMBER 8, 2013 11
Micro Irrigation Scheme -
Rise of the Second Green Revolution
Details Result (%)
Saving in Water 33-50 %
Saving in Electricity Cost 16-22%
Saving in Labour Cost 25-35%
Saving in Fertilizers 20-25%
Increase in Crop Yield 25-30%
Increase in Net Annual Income 60%
Source: AFC report submitted in the year 2012-13
Findings contained in the AFC report:
Since inception of GGRC in year 2005 upto Aug-2013,total 4.62
lakh farmers have adopted MIS in 7.44 lac hectares area of Gujarat
ADVERTORIAL & PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
URITY