Carrying out studies to implement micro-irrigation projects: Kerala govt

Kerala government has said that it was carrying out studies and making efforts to implement micro-irrigation projects in the state to ensure availability of water for cash crops

Agriculture
The recent correction opens up an opportunity for long-term investors
Press Trust of India Kannur (Kerala)
2 min read Last Updated : Feb 20 2023 | 9:45 AM IST

The Kerala government has said that it was carrying out studies and making efforts to implement micro-irrigation projects in the state to ensure availability of water for cash crops, like cocoa, castor and cloves, in the hilly areas.

Kerala Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine announced this initiative of the state government after inaugurating a weir-cum-tractor way constructed at Alakkad Parakkadavu across the Eryam River in Kadannappally-Panapuzha Grama Panchayat in Kannur district of the state.

The Minister said that the government was going ahead with various irrigation projects that can ensure water availability for the agricultural sector.

He said that while carrying out the Parakkadavu project, besides a facility for irrigation, it was also considered as a potential source of drinking water.

Augustine said people should be cautious about a possibility of severe drinking water shortage in the near future.

"Ground water level is decreasing in Kerala," he pointed out.

He said that Kerala, which has 44 rivers, is experiencing water shortage and therefore, all efforts should be made to ensure access to clean water and revival of streams and rivers.

He further said when the LDF government came to power in 2021, only 17 lakh rural families in the state had drinking water.

"There are 70,80,000 families in the rural areas of Kerala. The number of 17 lakh was increased to 30 lakhs in a year and a half," he claimed.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Quarterly Starter

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

Save 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online

  • Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

Topics :Kerala governmentIrrigation projectsWater crisis

First Published: Feb 20 2023 | 9:45 AM IST

Next Story