Current Affairs agriculture

The total cultivated land during the year 2007-08 was 155.7 million hectare (Mha) whereas the net irrigated area was 62.3 Mha and gross irrigated area was 87.2 Mha, as per information provided by the Ministry of Agriculture. The irrigation potential created up to 2007-08 has been reported as 104.4 Mha.

The total Plan expenditure for major, medium and minor irrigation projects and command area development works during the IX Plan X Plan were about Rs. 63,049 crores and Rs. 1,00,106 crores respectively and irrigation potential created during the IX Plan and X Plan were about 7.69 Mha and 8.82 Mha respectively.

Water being a State subject, projects for creation of irrigation potential are planned and implemented by the respective State Governments. However, Government of India provides central grants to State Governments under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme and Command Area Development & Water Management Programme. Ministry of Water Resources has also launched scheme for Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies under which assistance is provided to the States.