JAMMU, OCTOBER 05: In a significant initiative towards modernization of irrigation infrastructure and promotion of efficient water management in Jammu & Kashmir, the Command Area Development Department Jammu has initiated the first-of-its-kind pilot project under the Scheme “Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (MCAD-SAMRIDHI),” in the Patyari Cluster of Block Ghagwal, district Samba. The project is one amongst 38 pilot projects approved by Govt. of India for implementation all over the country.
The cluster extends over nearly 400 Ha. rainfed area and lacks assured irrigation facilities with a total project cost of Rs. 1198.26 lakh.
A significant milestone in the implementation of the project was achieved today with the signing of the Agreement between the Command Area Development Department, Jammu and the Irrigation Service Provider, M/s RMS Contractors and Consultancy, Bhopal. The project has now entered the implementation phase and is expected to mark a new chapter in the modernization of irrigation infrastructure and water management practices in Jammu & Kashmir.
The project envisages the development of a Pressurized Pipe Irrigation Network (PPIN) for efficient conveyance and distribution of irrigation water to agricultural fields. The system will be further strengthened through the integration of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and IoT (Internet of Things) technologies, enabling improved monitoring, regulation and management of irrigation water.
The adoption of pressurized irrigation will help minimize conveyance and distribution losses and ensure that water is delivered to the agricultural fields in a more controlled, efficient and equitable manner. The integration of modern technological interventions is expected to facilitate better monitoring of water use and improve the overall efficiency of the irrigation system.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director Command Area Development Jammu Pankaj Magotra emphasized that the project represents an important shift towards technology-based and sustainable irrigation management in the Union Territory.
“The guiding principle of this initiative is ‘Per Drop More Crop’. Our endeavour is not merely to provide irrigation water, but to ensure that every drop of available water is utilized judiciously and efficiently to produce more. Through Pressurized Pipe Irrigation, SCADA and IoT-based interventions, coupled with active participation of farmers, we aim to establish a modern and sustainable micro irrigation model that can be replicated in other Command Areas of Jammu & Kashmir with solar power on-grid facility.”
The Director further emphasized that farmer participation will remain a key component of the project, with Water User Societies (WUSs) playing an important role in the operation, management and sustainable utilization of the irrigation infrastructure. The involvement of farmers is expected to promote a sense of ownership, improve water management practices and strengthen community participation in irrigation management. Around 400 farmers of the Patyari cluster in Samba are very keen to see the project grounded and have already registered a Water User Society for taking over the operation and maintenance of this project after its commissioning. They have signed a MoU with the Command Area Development for this purpose.
The project is designed not only to improve irrigation efficiency but also to bring about a broader transformation in agricultural practices in the project area like adoption of sprinkler and drip irrigation on a large scale. Efficient and assured availability of irrigation water is expected to facilitate crop diversification, adoption of improved agricultural practices, enhancement of crop productivity and multifold increase in agricultural income of farmers of the area.
The project will also contribute towards reducing wastage of water and promoting its judicious and equitable utilization, thereby addressing the growing need for climate resilient agriculture. The use of technology is expected to provide better control over the irrigation network and support data-based management of water distribution.
The MCAD-SAMRIDHI initiative places particular emphasis on modernization of existing Command Area Development and Water Management practices by incorporating advanced irrigation technologies, efficient water distribution systems and participatory approaches.
The Department is hopeful that the implementation of this pilot project will establish a replicable model of modern irrigation management for other Command Areas across Jammu & Kashmir. The experience gained from Patyari Cluster will provide valuable inputs for scaling up technology-driven irrigation interventions in other areas of the Union Territory.
The occasion was attended by the Project Officer, Command Area Development, Jammu, concerned Assistant Soil Conservation Officer CAD Samba, SMS-DL, other officers and officials of the Command Area Development Jammu and the team of M/s RMS Contractors and Consultancy, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
