Patna, Sep 8 (PTI) The Bihar government is implementing a Rs 4,415-crore project to modernise irrigation services, improve scientific management of water resources and strengthen the state’s resilience to floods and erosion, Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said on Tuesday.
The Bihar Water Security and Irrigation Modernisation Project is being jointly funded by the World Bank and the state government, with the multilateral lender contributing 70 per cent of the cost, Sinha said.
The project will focus on upgrading irrigation systems, promoting climate-resilient agriculture and strengthening flood and erosion management through “blue-green” infrastructure, including embankment and river-bank strengthening, he said.
Being implemented jointly by the Water Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development departments, the project will also seek to strengthen institutional capacity, including that of the Hydrology and Agricultural Information Support Centre (FMISC), Sinha said.
It will also support the formulation of a state water policy and establishment of a water regulatory authority, he said.
Sinha said 11 blocks have been identified for promoting climate-friendly agriculture based on local climate, water availability and farming conditions.
The initiative aims to ensure judicious use of natural resources, improve farm sustainability and enhance farmers’ incomes, he said. PTI PKD SOM
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