An important initiative that the Telangana state government is set to introduce for the benefit of farmers. What is this scheme? What is its objective? What are the benefits it offers, and who will be eligible to benefit from it? We will cover all these details comprehensively in this video. Before we dive into the details, if you haven’t yet subscribed to this channel, please do so. Subscribing will allow us to bring you more such news in video format and will also encourage us to continue this work. So, please subscribe to the channel.
According to reports published in Velugu and other newspapers, the Telangana government is launching the Indira Sauragiri Jala Vikasam Scheme with a budget of ₹12,600 crore. The scheme will be inaugurated on the 18th of this month by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, as announced by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka. The scheme aims to benefit tribal farmers who hold land titles under the Recognition of Forest Rights (ROFR) Act.
Over the next five years, it is expected to support approximately 2.10 lakh tribal farmers and provide irrigation facilities for 6 lakh acres of land. The launch event is planned to take place in the Achampet constituency, and preparations are underway. A review meeting with officials was also held to discuss the implementation of the scheme.
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Objectives of the Indira Sauragiri Jala Vikasam
The primary objective of the scheme is to bring cultivable land, particularly podu lands (forest lands traditionally cultivated by tribal communities), into agricultural use by providing irrigation and electricity facilities. For decades, tribal farmers have been waiting for electricity to cultivate these lands.
The Indira Sauragiri Jala Vikasam Scheme aims to address this issue by introducing solar-powered irrigation systems. With an investment of ₹12,600 crore, the scheme seeks to economically empower tribal farmers by enabling them to cultivate their ROFR-allotted lands effectively.
Implementation and Benefits Indira Sauragiri Jala Vikasam
- The scheme will be implemented in a planned manner to bring 6 lakh acres of land under irrigation over the next five years, benefiting 2.10 lakh tribal farmers.
- A review meeting was held at the Secretariat, where Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka instructed officials to make necessary arrangements for the scheme’s launch in Mannanur, Achampet constituency, on the 18th of this month.
- The government has emphasized that this initiative will act as a boon for tribal farmers who lack access to electricity for farming.
- Notably, no other state in the country has allocated such a significant amount ₹12,600 crore for the agricultural development of tribal lands.
Role of Government Departments of Indira Sauragiri Jala Vikasam
The implementation of the scheme will involve key roles from officials of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), the Electricity Department, the Agriculture Department, and the Horticulture Department.
The process will include identifying villages with ROFR land titles, conducting geological surveys to assess water availability, drilling borewells, installing solar pump sets, and setting up drip irrigation systems and plantations.
The scheme also encourages the cultivation of high-value crops such as avocado, bamboo, pomegranate, dragon fruit, and fig to enhance farmers’ income.
Awareness and Training Programs Indira Sauragiri Jala Vikasam
To ensure the success of the scheme, the government plans to create awareness among tribal farmers through study tours to other states.
These tours aim to educate farmers about successful agricultural practices in tribal areas. For instance, in Himachal Pradesh, farmers practice natural farming to grow organic vegetables, which are then exported to Delhi.
Similarly, the Telangana government aims to enable tribal farmers in agency areas to grow organic crops and export them to Hyderabad, thereby increasing their income while promoting sustainable agriculture.
Monitoring and Execution
A State-Level Monitoring Committee and a District-Level Implementation Committee will be established to oversee the scheme’s progress. A dedicated portal will also be set up to streamline implementation. During the review meeting, officials such as Sandeep Kumar Sultania, Raghunandan Rao, and Krishna Bhaskar, along with Tribal Welfare Secretary Sharat, briefed the Deputy Chief Minister on the scheme’s guidelines and execution plan.
Economic Empowerment of Tribal Farmers
The Indira Sauragiri Jala Vikasam Scheme is designed to economically empower tribal farmers by bringing their ROFR lands into cultivation. The Recognition of Forest Rights (ROFR) Act legally recognizes the rights of tribal communities to cultivate podu lands for their livelihood. While some farmers received land titles under previous governments, the lack of irrigation and electricity has prevented many from cultivating these lands effectively. This scheme addresses these challenges by providing borewells, solar pump sets, and drip irrigation systems, enabling farmers to cultivate their lands year-round, rather than relying solely on rainfall.
Crop Cultivation and Market Access
By providing these facilities, the scheme aims to enable tribal farmers to grow high-value crops and export them to Hyderabad, similar to the model in Himachal Pradesh. The government will also work to increase forest cover while ensuring income generation for tribal communities. The scheme’s comprehensive approach includes not only infrastructure support but also awareness programs to help farmers adopt modern agricultural practices.
Conclusion
The Indira Sauragiri Jala Vikasam Scheme, set to be launched by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on the 18th of this month, is a significant step toward empowering tribal farmers in Telangana. By providing irrigation, electricity, and modern farming techniques, the scheme aims to bring 6 lakh acres of land under cultivation and benefit 2.10 lakh farmers over the next five years. This initiative is a promising development for tribal communities, offering them a sustainable path to economic prosperity.