Drip Irrigation

More area can be irrigated adopting Micro Irrigation including Drip Irrigation using less amount of water in comparison to area that can be irrigated adopting flow irrigation. Studies conducted on the aspect have revealed that (i) irrigated area has increased from same source of water by 8.41% on an average with the use of Micro Irrigation Systems and (ii) the water use efficiency in conventional irrigation ranges from 30% to 50% whereas it is 80% to 95% in the case of Micro Irrigation including Drip Irrigation. The initial investment in Micro Irrigation System including Drip Irrigation is more than flow irrigation. However, water saving, reduction in input costs (like labour, fertilizer, electricity etc), increase in productivity & qualities of produce, early maturity are the motivational factors which drive the farmers to opt for Micro Irrigation Systems. The Government is providing financial assistance under On Farm Water Management (OFWM) component of National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) for promotion of Micro Irrigation. The rate of assistance ranges from 35% to 50% of cost of installation for small & marginal farmers and ranges from 25% to 35% of cost of installation for other farmers. In addition to the central assistance, 10% assistance is required to be provided by the State Governments to the farmers. Crop Insurance             To increase the coverage in terms of farmers/ area and also to create competition in Crop Insurance field, Government had decided to include private general insurance companies alongwith Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. (AIC) for implementation of  National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP).               With a view to provide insurance coverage & financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crops as a result of non-preventable risks including natural calamities, pests & diseases, adverse weather conditions and to stabilize farm income, Government of India introduced Crop Insurance Schemes since 1985.  Improvement, in existing Crop Insurance Schemes to make the same attractive and farmers’ friendly with a view to extend the scope and coverage in terms of crop area, crops and risk is continuing process.  At present, about 65 crops are covered and more than 25% of cropped area is insured.