The large number of rivers, streams, canals flowing through the Srikakulam district offer good scope for lift irrigation schemes. Andhra Pradesh State Irrigation Development Corporation (APSIDC), a separate entity established by Government of Andhra Pradesh for implementing minor irrigation projects in Andhra Pradesh, saw a huge potential for the Lift Irrigation Schemes in the district. An extent of 9050 acres was covered by the Corporation with estimated cost of Rs. 16.48 crore under RIDF IV to RIDF X. Lift Irrigation projects proposed under RIDF XI to RIDF XIII, covering an area of 4720 acres, with an estimated cost of Rs. 26.56 crore, is under different stages of execution. All the lift irrigation schemes are maintained by the water user associations.
The three lift irrigation schemes on the Vamsadhara Left Main Canal, viz, Kuduru Lift Irrigation Scheme, Sreepuram Lift Irrigation Scheme and Ramachandrapuram Lift Irrigation have changed the economic scenario in the ayacut villages benefiting more than 4000 farmers. The Kuduru LI scheme near Pakivalasa village of Kotabommalli mandal has an ayacut of 1650 acre, mostly having small and marginal farmers. The farmers who were growing rainfed crops are now able to raise paddy, chillies, vegetables, groundnut etc., which has increased their income from Rs. 1500 per acre to Rs. 14,000 per acre.
The Sreepuram Lift Irrigation Scheme near Cheepurlapadu village in Kotabommalli mandal of the district has provided irrigation facilities for 600 acres benefiting 373 farmers belonging to scheduled caste small and marginal farmers. The annual income of the farmers in the pre development stage to post development stage has grown from Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh.
The Ramachandrapuram LI Scheme covers an ayacut of 1300 acres covering six villages of Jalumuru mandal. the farmers of these mandals were getting scanty rainfall causing severe loss to the crops. The people were moving to towns in search of low end jobs as labourers and rickshaw pullers. the lift irrigation scheme has come a boon and the farmers now able to take atleast two crops. The farmers are returning to their villages and are happy in farming with their families. The value of land has gone up in the region due to the lift irrigation schemes. |
