The Madhya Pradesh government is a farmer-friendly administration, prioritizing the welfare of its “Annadata” (food providers). The government is consistently working to bring water to every field. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat, the Water Resources Department has significantly increased the irrigated area in Madhya Pradesh through various large, medium, and small irrigation projects. With water reaching farmlands, farmers who previously cultivated two crops are now growing a third, leading to increased agricultural productivity. The abundance of water in the state has brought smiles to the faces of farmers.
Unprecedented Growth in Irrigated Area
The irrigated area in Madhya Pradesh has grown remarkably. In 2003, the state’s irrigated area was approximately 3 lakh hectares, which has now expanded to nearly 50 lakh hectares. With ongoing and upcoming irrigation projects, the state aims to increase the irrigated area to around 65 lakh hectares by 2025-26. Furthermore, the government has set a target to achieve 1 crore hectares of irrigation capacity by 2028-29, with accelerated efforts underway.
In the 2024-25 budget, the government has allocated ₹13,596 crore for the construction and maintenance of irrigation projects.
Ambitious Ken-Betwa Link Project
The Ken-Betwa Link Project is a flagship national initiative involving the construction of the Daudhan Dam, auxiliary works, and a link canal on the Ken River. The project includes the development of Bina Complex, Kotha Barrage, and Lower Orr Projects in the Betwa Basin. This project will provide irrigation and drinking water facilities to:
- 4.5 lakh hectares in the Ken Basin (districts: Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, Niwari, and Damoh)
- 2.06 lakh hectares in the Betwa Basin (districts: Vidisha, Raisen, Sagar, Shivpuri, and Datia) in Madhya Pradesh
- 2.5 lakh hectares in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh (districts: Banda, Mahoba, and Jhansi).
Additionally, the project will generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power, fully allocated to Madhya Pradesh.
Project Approvals and Progress
The project’s first phase has received all necessary approvals, including technical and financial clearance from the Central Water Commission, environmental and wildlife approvals, and land acquisition and rehabilitation clearances. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the second phase, prepared in 2014 by the National Water Development Agency, includes three proposed irrigation projects in the Betwa Basin:
- Bina Complex (96,000 hectares)
- Kotha Barrage (20,000 hectares)
- Lower Orr Project (90,000 hectares)
These projects also include provisions for 66.7 million cubic meters of drinking water and industrial water supply. A tripartite agreement was signed between the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, under the presence of the Prime Minister, for the project’s implementation. The Union Cabinet approved ₹4,460.5 crore for the project, which is set to be completed in 8 years.
Parwati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project
The under-construction Parwati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project is another significant initiative, supported by a tripartite agreement between Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the central government. This project will benefit 13 districts in Madhya Pradesh.
Together with the Ken-Betwa Link Project and other proposed projects in the Narmada Valley, irrigation facilities will expand across 19.25 lakh hectares in the state.
Micro-Irrigation Initiatives
To support the “Per Drop More Crop” initiative, the state is developing 133 large and medium pressurized micro-irrigation projects. Key projects include:
- Chitrangi Pressurized Micro-Irrigation Project (₹1,320 crore): This will develop 32,125 hectares of irrigated land in Singrauli district.
- Javad Neemuch Pressurized Micro-Irrigation Project (₹4,197.58 crore): This will develop 18,600 hectares in Neemuch district.
These projects reflect the government’s commitment to achieving sustainable irrigation and agricultural growth across Madhya Pradesh.
