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Irrigation Status AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED SECTORS

2.106 The source-wise area irrigated as on March 2014 is given in Appendices 2.52 & 2.53.
As per the assessment of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics the net irrigated area in
the state as on March 2014, is 3.97 lakh ha. and the gross area irrigated is 4.68 lakh ha. Gross
irrigated area shows a slight increase during the period compared to previous year. During
2013-14, the percentage of Gross irrigated area to Gross Cropped Area is 17.94. The crop which
benefitted the most by irrigation during the period is coconut. It accounted for about 35.5 per cent
followed by paddy 33 percent, banana 10 percent, arecanut 8 percent and vegetable 4.5 per cent.
Details are given in Appendices 2.54 & 2.55. There has been a significant increase in irrigated area
for banana cultivation and vegetable cultivation during 2013-14 compared to previous years. Though
the irrigated area for paddy and coconut cultivation has increased, the percentage of increase is not
prominent.

Minor Irrigation

2.107 Minor irrigation plays an important role in the state of Kerala, where the average farm size is
small, land labour ratio is low and capital and foreign exchange resources are scarce.

2.108 During Annual Plan 2013-14, the share of minor irrigation was around 15% of the total
budgeted outlay for irrigation sector, in which surface water contributed major share. An amount of
` 97.43 crore was expended against the outlay of ` 75.06 crore.

2.109 A detailed database of dams, check dams, weirs, ponds, lift irrigation schemes and other
diversions have been prepared through survey by IDRB. The survey mainly included the recording of
the locations of the structures using GPS instruments. Details were created as a database in a GIS
platform as well as spatially represented as a map. All these data have been prepared river basin
wise. The structures are given an identification number for enabling easy assimilation; especially the
ponds are given a Unique Identification Number. It is proposed to upload the data as a web portal in
the subsequent phases.

2.110 The details of physical achievement for 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 are shown in Appendix
2.56. NABARD has been providing loan assistance for irrigation works. Under RIDF schemes
( I to XVIII ), 1253 works have been completed so far. The assistance of NABARD is by way
of reimbursement. RIDF I to XI have been closed and the works under RIDF XIII to XVIII are in
progress. Under RIDF XIX, 16 proposals amounting to ` 106.35 crore have been sanctioned by
NABARD. Details are given in Appendix 2.57.

2.111 An amount of ` 70.30 crore was allotted from GOI for Minor Irrigation under the scheme for
rehabilitating farmers in the distress affected districts of Wayanad, Palakkad and Kasargode. Out of
the 75 works sanctioned under NABARD RIDF XIII & 62 works sanctioned under NABARD RIDF
XVI, 66 works and 46 works were completed respectively.

Micro Irrigation

2.112 Water which is both a scarce and precious resource, has to be utilized judiciously. Inspite of
the fact that the major and medium irrigation projects have contributed much, inefficient conventional
methods of irrigation leads to wastage of water. In this context, Micro irrigation assumes great
significance.

2.113 Micro Irrigation schemes lead to efficient methods of irrigation by following better soil - water
management techniques and providing the arid and semi arid lands better access to irrigation water

Economic Review 2014