Only 14 per cent of Assam farmlands covered by irrigation schemes in 2023: Minister Ashok Singhal

Only 14 per cent of the gross sown area in Assam has been covered by irrigation projects this year, Irrigation Minister Ashok Singhal said in the state assembly. 

Out of the nearly 4,000 irrigation projects in the state, more than 1,500 are not functional, he said. 

Replying to a question from Independent legislator Akhil Gogoi, Singhal said the gross sown area in the state is 38.88 lakh hectares and the net sown area is 27.24 lakh hectares. 

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Out of these, 11.03 lakh hectares have been brought under irrigation schemes till 2023, although this year, crops in only 5.50 lakh hectares could be grown using water provided under these schemes. Irrigation schemes covered 14 per cent of the gross sown area in the state this year, the minister 

Water through the schemes is provided to Kharif crops (June to October) and Rabi crops (November to May). 

There are 3,913 schemes under the irrigation department, of which 1,585 are currently not working. Singhal said work is going on to restore the non-functioning schemes and projects.