Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are ahead of all other States in investments in irrigation sector according to a study conducted by the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
While Telangana invested 12 per cent of its live investments in irrigation projects, AP invested 10 per cent. According to a study titled “Irrigation investment in India : State Level Experience,” regions now comprising Telangana managed to almost double their share from about six per cent in 20024-05 to around 12 per cent. The share of Andhra Pradesh has remained more or less the same at 11 per cent.
Gujarat on the other hand has seen massive decline in terms of its share in total investments in irrigation from 25 per cent in 2004-05 to about 5 per cent in 2014-15.
Releasing the findings of the study, ASSOCHAM secretary general D S Rawat said, “[The] Government needs to bring in policy changes to improve efficiencies and encourage accountability, transparency, willingness to promote irrigation development thereby ensuring that irrigation services are more resource-efficient, responsive to farmers needs and equitable.” He said, considering the massive investments in fixed assets it made sense to consult farmers and ensure that they used the systems that were built. The government must increase farmers’ participation and take their advantage in developing irrigation projects to make land acquisition easier.
Investments in the irrigation sector had increased at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 11 per cent during the course of the past decade, that is, from about Rs 2 lakh crore in 20024-5 to over 5.5 lakh crore in 2014-15, according to the study.
