Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has set an ambitious target to bring more than 90 per cent of the state’s cultivable land under irrigation by 2036, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Tuesday. The move is aimed at strengthening agriculture, improving farmers’ incomes, and driving long-term economic growth.
As part of the plan, the state will add irrigation facilities for an additional 1.5 million hectares over the next five years through major, medium, and minor irrigation projects. Officials said the expansion will significantly enhance agricultural productivity and reduce dependence on monsoon rainfall.
At present, Odisha has 40,380 functional Pani Panchayats managing irrigation systems that collectively serve about 2.412 million hectares. The government reiterated its focus on participatory irrigation management, ensuring equitable water distribution, and encouraging greater involvement of women in water governance.
The state is also aligning its irrigation strategy with climate-resilient agricultural practices. Authorities plan to adopt modern technologies, including IoT-enabled water measurement and monitoring systems, to improve efficiency, reduce wastage, and ensure optimal use of water resources.
The irrigation roadmap forms a key component of Odisha’s long-term development vision, with officials stating that improved water security will play a critical role in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth by 2036.
-OdishaAge
