Kargil: In continuation of the visit to Sodh Block regarding the progress of the Micro Irrigation Project in Sharbat Gond, Yourbaltak, and Apati areas on January 18, 2025, Administrative Secretary Agriculture, Bhupesh Chaudhary, today chaired a meeting on microirrigation and water conservation in the Conference Hall, CAO Office Complex, Baroo.
The meeting was attended by officers and officials, including the Project Officer Wages Employment (ACD), Executive Engineer PHE, Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Kargil, Assistant Soil Conservation Officer CAD Kargil, Project Manager IWMP Kargil, SDAO Kargil, SMS (SDL) Kargil, AEE PHE Kargil, AEE REW Kargil, AEO Kargil B, JE REW Sodh, and Consultant FUMIC.
The Sodh area, comprising six Panchayat Halqas, has been experiencing severe drought conditions for several years. To address these challenges, the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the PHE Department, is implementing a microirrigation project in the affected villages. The Administrative Secretary commended the efforts of the concerned departments in alleviating the hardships faced by the local farming community.
During the meeting, the Administrative Secretary stressed the importance of inter-departmental coordination to tackle the persistent drought conditions effectively. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan that integrates traditional knowledge from the villagers while actively involving them in the planning and implementation process.
The Executive Engineer PHE briefed the Administrative Secretary on the progress of the Micro Irrigation Project. Out of the total target of 23 hectares in the Detailed Project Report (DPR), 9 hectares have been successfully brought under the microirrigation system, which is now fully functional in supplying irrigation water to the project site.
To strengthen water conservation efforts, the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) was instructed to prioritize the Sodh area in its next five-year plan. Additionally, the Rural Development Department (RDD) was encouraged to incorporate innovative water conservation techniques, such as water harvesting structures, snow check dams, and artificial glaciers, into Panchayat-level plans. The use of IoT-based systems for managing artificial glaciers was also recommended.
The Agriculture Department was tasked with covering the primary agricultural fields of the villages under the microirrigation system. The department was tasked encourage the farmers to adopt drip and sprinkler irrigation methods instead of the traditional channel system of irrigation.
The Administrative Secretary directed the Agriculture Department to organize awareness campaigns in collaboration with the RDD, PHE Department, IWMP, and other allied departments. These campaigns aim to educate villagers on the judicious use of water resources and modern irrigation techniques.
The Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) was instructed to select a village as a pilot project area for microirrigation and ensure its complete success. This pilot model is intended to serve as a template for replication in other villages. Furthermore, the IWMP was advised to develop multiple micro-watershed projects instead of focusing solely on large-scale watershed initiatives.
The meeting concluded with a focus on actionable strategies, inter-departmental collaboration, and the integration of both traditional and modern approaches. These measures aim to ensure sustainable water management and agricultural resilience in the drought-affected Sodh Block.
