MINOR IRRIGATION

Minor Irrigation deals with investigation and execution of Minor Irrigation Sources of ayacut up to 5000 Ac. Minor Irrigation plays an important role in the development of agriculture and livelihoods particularly in drought prone areas and areas outside command of Major and Medium projects.

Minor Irrigation is providing irrigation facilities to increase the agriculture production by means of creating new ayacut, stabilizing the existing ayacut of 25.60 lakh acres beside maintenance of these sources and also provides drinking water to villages during summer season.

In Minor Irrigation wing of Irrigation Department of Andhra Pradesh, there are nearly 6361 Nos of M.I tanks (ayacut > 40 Ha) including other sources such as anicuts and open head channels to serve the registered ayacut of 17.59 Lakh Acres. In addition to this the erstwhile Panchayath Raj tanks 35,376 Nos ( Ayacut < 40 Ha) having registered ayacut 8.01 Lakh Acres were transferred to Irrigation Department from Panchayath Raj Department in 2005. As such the Minor Irrigation Department has to maintain all the above tanks of 41,737 Nos with a total registered ayacut of 25.60 Lakh Acres. Thus Minor Irrigation happens to be a major source of Irrigation in significant areas of the State.

The total registered ayacut 25.60 Lakh Acres is not being irrigated every year and hence the gap ayacut is being increased year by year and the average gap ayacut is approximately 57% of total registered ayacut. The year wise irrigated ayacut particulars as under.

Ayacut Irrigated during previous years
I. Total ayacut under MI Sector is 25.60 Lakhs Acres under 41,737 Sources.
II. The ayacut irrigated during 2008-09 is 9.03 Lakh Acres,
III. The ayacut irrigated during 2009-10 is 6.81 Lakh Acres,
IV. The ayacut irrigated during 2010-11 is 9.97 Lakh Acres,
V. The ayacut irrigated during 2011-12 is 11.27 Lakh Acres,
VI. The ayacut irrigated during 2012-13 is 13.43 Lakh Acres
VII. The ayacut irrigated during 2013-14 is 11.56 Lakh Acres
VIII. The ayacut irrigated during 2014 Khariff is 10.02 Lakh Acres.

The reasons for gap ayacut
a) Decrease in inflows to the tank due to inadequate rainfall, upstream obstructions, poor conditions of feeder channels.
b) Decrease in storage due to silting etc.
c) Deterioration of physical system for eg. Breaches in bund, poor condition of bund with unstable slopes, non-uniform TBL, improper condition of surplus systems. Defunct or inadequate functioning of sluices.
d) Poor Canal System
e) Poor Water use efficiency due to mono cropping of water intensive crops, improper distribution and scheduling of water to cover the entire ayacut.

Minor Irrigation Sector is taking up large scale activities under two basic Categories to bridge the gap ayacut

1. Sustaining & stabilizing the huge existing irrigation potential of nearly 25.60 lakh acres by Renovation, Restoration, Repairs and Maintenance.

2. Creation of New Irrigation facilities under new tanks / sources.

Objectives:
The ultimate objective of the department is to
a) Restoring the existing M.I sources to original standards where necessary
b) For stabilizing the irrigation potential created.
c) Controlling the wastage of water through water conservation plans and better water management plans.
d) Bridging the gap ayacut.

Activities to be taken up
I. The surplus basins and deficit basins are to be identified and water is to be diverted from the surplus basins to deficit basins, to stabilize the gap ayacut.
II. Detailed investigation of cascades of Minor Irrigation tanks from ridge to valley.
III. Prepare detailed estimates for restoration to original standards.
IV. Restoring the existing Minor irrigation sources by taking up de-silting of tanks, arresting the leakages from bund, weir & sluices etc., and restoring irrigation channels, filed channels, canal structures to original standards.

The following activities are proposed for making most efficient use of the water conserved in respect of minor irrigation.
1. Repairs to water harvesting structures.
2. De-Silting of tanks.
3. Breach restoration works.
4. Identification of cascades and improvements.
5. Restoration of existing tanks.
6. Repairs & Renovation of water bodies.
7. Preventing further siltation.
8. Construction of water harvesting structures to avoid siltation.
9. Improve water use efficiency by lining of canals up to field channels.

All the above activities are proposed to be taken up under various schemes such as

1)NSP 2) NABARD 3) AIBP 4) RRR 5) MGNREGS 6) APILIP 7) TIS 8) TRIAD

Normal plan

1) Normal State Plan

Normal plan includes construction of new schemes and restoration of existing schemes with plan funds. During the current financial year 2015-16, Government has allocated an amount of Rs. 74.76 Crores and additional budget allocated is 185.94 Crores towards normal plan works. Expenditure incurred for as on today is Rs.199.48 Crores (Desilting works of Rs. 195.41 Crores+ Non Desilting works of Rs.4.07 Crores).

The target for the year 2015-16 is 1952 No's of tanks costing Rs.305.77 Crores for stabilizing an ayacut of 2,13,989 Acres.

2) Scheduled Cast Sub Plan (SCSP)

The AP SCSP & TSP Act, 2013 has come in to force from April, 2013. As per the above Act all the Ongoing and New SCSP schemes to be taken up under the financial year are to be approved by the Nodal Agency for SCSP. The Government has accorded permission to continue the balance spillover 207 nos of works at a cost of Rs 15.39 crores vide Govt Memo dt 09.03.2015. These works are at different stages of progress. Further ongoing 190 works at a cost of Rs.27.01 Crores were also submitted to Govt for obtaining approval of Nodal Agency and Nodal agency has agreed to sanction these works and recommended for approval of state council for SC's and ST's. These 190 works will be taken up and completed after obtaining approval from state council for SC's and ST's. An amount of Rs.13.277 crores is provided in the Budget 2015-16 under SCSP programme. The expenditure incurred so far during 2015-16 is Rs. 93.40 lakhs up to 8/2015.

3) Tribal Area Sub Plan (TSP)

The AP SCSP&TSP Act, 2013 has come in to force from April, 2013. As per the above Act all the Ongoing and New TSP schemes to be taken up under the financial year are to be approved by the Nodal Agency. 217 works approved by Nodal Agency during 2013-14 and spill over to 2015-16 at a cost of Rs.28.97 Crores were submitted to Government for obtaining permission to ground and complete these works during F.Y 2015-16. The Government has submitted the proposals to Nodal Agency for their approval. Out of 217 works, the Nodal Agency has permitted to take up 41 works in Kadapa District at a cost of Rs. 2.91 crores and 1 work in Chittoor District at a cost of Rs. 4.50 lakhs. The approval for balance 175 works is awaited. Further ongoing 51 works at a cost of Rs.2.25 Crores were also submitted to Government for obtaining approval from Nodal Agency. The approval of Nodal Agency is awaited. An amount of Rs. 19.055 Crores is provided in the Budget 2015-16 under TSP programme. The expenditure incurred so far during 2015-16 is Rs. 121.48 lakhs up to 8/2015. 15-16 is 709.46 Crores including establishment charges of Rs.175.05 Crores.

NABARD

National Agricultural Bank for Rural Development (NABARD) is assisting the state government in construction of new Minor Irrigation Schemes under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). Financing the schemes started in the year 1995-96 and being continued under different tranches from RIDF-I to XXI.

NABARD has closed the Tranches up to XI before Jan 2012. Tranche XII, XIII and XIV were closed by NABARD in Jan-2013 as per HPC(High Power Committee) recommendations. Now Tranches XV to XX are in progress.

RIDF - XVI & XVII Tranche

In Tranche XVI & XVII , 11 works are in progress with an estimate cost of Rs.4417 Lakh. i.e., 7 Works in Chittoor, 2 Works in Kurnool, 1 work in Srikakulam and 1 work in Vizianagaram.

The expenditure incurred for 11 Works till date is Rs. 1459.28 Lakh. The Balance amount required for completion of 11 works is Rs. 2958.13 Lakhs.

RIDF - XX Tranche

The Government has accorded administrative approval vide G.O.N 5 I& CAD (MIG) Dept 20-01-2015 for 49 Minor irrigation Projects under RIDF - XX Tranche to benefit an ayacut of 23406 acres with an estimated cost of Rs 10755.59 lakhs out of which Rs 10217.81 lakhs is NABARD Loan under RIDF - XX and Govt of Andhra Pradesh share is Rs 537.78 lakhs. For 32 projects agreement are concluded with the agency and work is in progress and remaining 17 Projects are at various stages of Agreement to be concluded , tender process and Technical sanction.

RIDF - XXI Tranche

The Prosposal for 41 Projects costing Rs 5694.80 lakhs stabilizing an aycut of 16486 acres were sent to finance Dept for according administrative approval under RIDF-XXI Tranche.

Budget

Budget provision for NABARD during 2015-16 is Rs 7273.80 Lakhs. The Expenditure incurred till to date is 47.47 lakhs and the balance available in Budget Estimate is Rs 7226.33 lakhs as on today.

Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP)

For the first time the Government of India have extended AIBP grant to AP in Minor Irrigation Sector. Schemes situated in Tribal and Drought prone area are considered for sanction. In First phase, 8 Nos of schemes costing Rs. 32.81 Crores to create an ayacut of 10,925 acres are sanctioned. In second phase, 2 Nos of schemes costing Rs. 48.51 Crores to create an ayacut of 8839 acres are sanctioned. The Schemes sanctioned under AIBP are with 90% grant component. So for, the expenditure incurred is Rs.4.77 Crores. Budget proposed for the year 2015-16 is Rs.81.21 Crores including RRR.

Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies

The Govt. of India and in turn Government of Andhra Pradesh have sanctioned an amount of Rs.91.45 Crores to take up Repair, Renovation, and Restoration for 342 water bodies for stabilization of total ayacut 100832 acres in five Districts of Andhra Pradesh (Anantapuram, Chittoor, Kadapa, kurnool and Srikakulam). By Aug.2015, 291 schemes were completed with stabilized ayacut of 73528 acres. Now 38 schemes are in progress, 8works are terminated and another 5 works are not started and hence proposed for termination. Expenditure incurred is Rs.44.54 Crores. Budget proposed for the year 2015-16 is Rs.81.21 Crores including AIBP.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS)

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is one of Government of India's flagship programmes. It aims at providing employment to unskilled workers while creating durable assets in rural areas. Government has accorded Administrative approval vide G.O.Ms.No.19 I&CAD (MIG.1) Dept. Dt.12.2.2013 to a tune of Rs.203.30 Crores for 2364 No of works in 12 Districts of Andhra Pradesh out of which 1155 No. of works are completed to stabilize an ayacut of 77533Ac. Expenditure of Rs. 81.72 Cr was incurred on these works.

JICA Assisted APILIP

JICA Phase - I

The Andhra Pradesh Irrigation and livelihood Improvement project (APILIP) supported by Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) is under implementation from 1st April 2007. The loan Agreement was signed on 26th March -2007 and the loan was effected from 11th July 2007. The main objectives of the project are to increase production of agriculture and improve the living standards of the farmers in the project area by constructing the reservoirs and modernization of existing irrigation systems, utilizing the scarce water resources efficiently and ensuring equitable assured water supply to the designed command area.

The project is for proposed for six years (from April-2007 to March-2013). The revised time line for the completion of the project is up to July -2014. The loan period is 9 years since 2007.

Under JICA Phase-I only one work pertains to Minor Irrigation was taken up i.e., the work “ Formation of new tank across Suddavagu near G. Mekapadu (Bayanapalem) Village, Kandukur (M), Prakasham Dt vide Proc. No: Com/ CAD / DEE-II / 638/ 2008 dated 02-02-2009 for Rs. 167.00 Lakhs under APILIP. The work of formation of new tank is completed and excavation of field channels is held up due to non acquisition of land. The total expenditure incurred is Rs. 164.71 Lakhs against revised sanctioned amount of Rs. 179.09 Lakhs. An amount of Rs. 7.50 Lakhs is deposited to RDO Kandukur and balance of Rs. 21.50 Lakhs is required for completion of LA of 13.78 Acres.

JICA Phase -II A

Proposals for construction of 9 Nos (1 No in Chittoor Dist, 2 Nos in Prakasham, 2 Nos in Guntur Dist and 4 Nos in Srikakulam Dist.) new mini reservoirs / Anicuts were submitted to the State Project Director (SPD) contemplated to serve an ayacut of 4345 Ha (10,736 Acres) with an estimated amount of 109.86 Crores and the same are under consideration.

JICA Phase -II B

It is proposed to construct 150 Nos of new tanks to irrigate an ayacut of 18750 Ha (46331 Acres) with an estimated cost of Rs. 563.00 Crores.

4) Development of Tank Information System (TIS)

The Development of Tank Information System (TIS) in the State of Andhra Pradesh is carried out through Andhra Pradesh State Remote Sensing Applications Centre (APSARAC), Hyderabad. A Budget provision of Rs. 10.00 lakhs has been allocated for development of the Project during 2015-16. The study gives the information on District wise tank memoir details and other relevant information such as basin details, total yield available, utilization and balance available & Ground water scenario.

TRIAD Project Study (Tank Reliant Irrigated Area Development)

TRIAD Project is proposed to linkage of Minor Irrigation Tanks i.e., Cascade system and to construct new tanks in the districts Anantapur, Chittoor, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam where Minor Irrigation is contributing more than 50% of the total irrigated area.

The preparation of PPR's based on the catchment area studies integrating remote sensing, Global positioning system and Conventional Surface Hydrology data which are entrusted to APSRAC for an amount of Rs.542.68 lakhs for 8 districts in combined state.

The APSRAC has submitted the Draft PPR's of Chittoor, Anantapur, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts and an amount of Rs.4.00 Crore has paid to APSRAC as advance in combined state pending conclusion of memorandum of understanding.

After bifurcation 5 districts covered in Andhra Pradesh and 3 districts are covered in Telangana. The total amount 5 districts of A.P. is worked out for Rs.403.80 lakhs and share of amount paid to APSAC is worked to Rs.297.64 lakhs. The balance of Rs.106.16 lakhs is due for payment further this office instructed the Superintending Engineer, Irrigation Circle, Chittoor to conclude to agreement (MOU) for Rs.403.80 lakhs. The Superintending Engineer, Irrigation Circle, Chittoor has concluded MOU with APSAC on 06.07.2015 the draft PPRs received final PPRs are preparation under APSAC.

Role of Minor Irrigation Under Water Conservation Mission

Minor Irrigation is playing Major role in making the water conservation Mission successfully by implementing the following:

a. Providing technical guidance to the rural Development Department in execution of NREGS works relating to water harvesting structures and soft moisture conservation works.

b. Detailed investigation of cascades of minor irrigation tanks from ridge to valley and prepare detailed estimates for restoration to original standards.

c. Prepare the catchment area, command area development treatment plans for all irrigation sources.

d. Increase the water use efficiency u8nder the existing sources by 20%.

e. Promoting conjunctive use of ground water and micro irrigation under well/ bore irrigation.

f. Water balance studies for optimizing the use of source and ground water to plan new irrigation works.

Budget

Budget Allotted for 2015-16

            Rs. In Crores

S. No.	Name of the Scheme	Budget 2015-16
1	NABARD	72.738
2	AIBP +RRR	81.2079
3	NSP	74.76
4	SCSP	13.277
5	TASP	19.055
6	NREGS	2.00
7	JICA	109.86
	Total:	372.8979

Targets of both physical and financial during 2015-16

Sl.No	Targets			Remarks
	Physical		Financial
	No. of Sources	Gap Ayacut to be Stabilized
1	7287	3.13 Lakh acres	Rs. 2223 Cr

The above physical and financial targets will be achieved by taking up the repairs, restoration and renovation of Minor Irrigation sources under different programmes.

The low hanging fruits available in the department

In Minor Irrigation Department, the benefits will be attained early i.e., by taking up repairs to the sources, the benefits will get in next cropping season immediately. The following is the plan of action to achieve low hanging fruits for the year 2015-16.

1. It is proposed to take up repairs, restoration and renovation of 7287 Nos of Minor Irrigation sources.

2. Total estimated cost of 7287 sources is Rs. 2223 Crores.

3. Total gap ayacut to be stabilized / bridged is 3.13 Lakh Acres (57% of total ayacut of 5.49 Lakh Acres)

4. Total enhancement of annual productivity Rs. 1013 Cr.

5. Due to incurring expenditure of Rs. 2223 Cr on Minor Irrigation sources, the enhancement in annual productivity is 1013 Cr, and the productivity for 5 years would be Rs. 5065 Cr.

6. Likewise if the same type of action plan is implemented every year the above said productivity will be multiplied.

1) Administrative procedural reforms

a. The activities such as identification, investigation and estimating the Minor Irrigation sources are to be taken up on war footing basis by entrusting the same to the external agencies to achieve the programmed targets.

b. The experienced technical personnel shall be employed on out sourcing basis wherever necessary.

2) Coordination with the district collectors:

a. The Minor Irrigation Department is already coordinating with District collectors in each activity of execution of works viz., according administrative approvals for emergency / FDR works and de-silting works under Neeru-Chettu, selection of RRR works in DLIC.

3) Financial and non-financial inputs

a. The financial inputs needed per year in average is Rs 2000 Cr to stabilize the total gap ayacut in next five years and also to create new ayacut.

II ) Growth engines in minor irrigation

1) Effective and sustainable Irrigation infrastructure and its management.

2) Area of cropping land is to be increased duly bridging the gap ayacut

3) De-silting of tanks to increase the capacity of tank, to increase the ground table thereby increase the irrigated ayacut.

4) Increase in water use efficiency to irrigate more ayacut with minimum water.

5) Agricultural output is to be increased by better irrigation practices.

6) Water conservation and better water management.

7) Increase the role of farmers and ease the burden on Government.

8) Area planted with cash crops is to be increased considerably.

9) Value of Agricultural exports is to be increased.

10) Beneficiary income is to be increased.

Key performance indicators

1) Irrigation of entire contemplated ayacut of 25.60 Lakh Acres.

2) Agricultural production which is output of irrigated agricultural system

3) Economic benefits derived from the Agricultural production.

District wise Targets in respect of the indicator Ayacut planned for Khariff 2015-16 under Minor Irrigation:

Sno.	District	Target Gap Ayacut to be Bridged during 2015-16 in Acres	1St Quarter (Apr 2015 - Jun 2015)	2nd Quarter (Jul 2015 - Sep 2015)	3rd Quarter (Oct 2015 - Dec 2015)	4th Quarter(Jan 2016 - Mar 2016)
1	Srikakulam	20767	2077	4153	6230	8307
2	Vizianagaram	29638	2964	5928	8891	11855
3	Visakhapatnam	22353	2235	4471	6706	8941
4	East godavari	7896	790	1579	2369	3158
5	West godavari	7500	750	1500	2250	3000
6	Krishna	10356	1036	2071	3107	4142
7	Guntur	5091	509	1018	1527	2036
8	Prakasham	10354	1035	2071	3106	4142
9	SPSR Nellore	10307	1031	2061	3092	4123
10	YSR Kadapa	13474	1347	2695	4042	5390
11	Kurnool	25065	2507	5013	7520	10026
12	Anantapur	43199	4320	8640	12960	17280
13	Chittoor	38011	3801	7602	11403	15204
	Anicuts & open head channels	68989	6899	13798	20697	27596
GRAND TOTAL		313000	31300	62600	93900	125200
Or say in Lakh Acres		3.13	0.313	0.626	0.939	1.252

District wise Progress in respect of the indicator Ayacut planned for Khariff 2015-16 under Minor Irrigation:

Sl. No.	District	Ayacut stabilised in Acres Due to taking up Desilting works, repairs and construction of water harvesting structures
		April - June	July - September As on 7-9-15
1	Srikakulam	3376	807
2	Vizianagaram	3990	2061
3	Visakhapatnam	2077	395
4	East Godavari	1468	975
5	West Godavari	5330	2513
6	Krishna	4371	989
7	Guntur	3408	1577
8	Prakasam	2482	2400
9	Nellore	1498	5917
10	Kadapa	1567	3441
11	Kurnool	2218	3598
12	Anantapur	1110	4750
13	Chittoor	4105	6908
TOTAL	37000	36330

Targets and Progress in respect of the indicator Ayacut planned for Khariff 2015-16 under Minor Irrigation:

Sl. No.	Indicator	Unit of Measurement	April - June		July - September		Oct - Dec	Jan - March
			Target	Progress	Target	Progress by the end of August	Target	Target
1	Gap Ayacut to be Bridged under Minor Irrigation	in 000 Acres	31.300	37.000	62.600	36.330	93.900	125.200

1. Unit of Measurement is in Thousand Acres.

2. The progress as on 30-06-2015 is 37,000 Acres (37.00 Thousand Acres)

3. The cumulative progress as on 07-09-2015 is 73330Acres (73.330 Thousand Acres)

Statement Showing the Ayacut Details Under Minor Irrigation

Sno.	District	Total Registered Ayacut in Acres	Ayacut Irrigated in Kharif 2014	Gap Ayacut in Acres	Proposed Gap Ayacut to be Bridged during the year
					2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20
1	Srikakulam	275386	234171	41215	8243	7240	7852	9050	8830
2	Vizianagaram	268319	237960	30359	6072	5872	5878	6050	6487
3	Visakhapatnam	230665	79933	150732	30146	28956	28952	31452	31226
4	East Godavari	130415	94632	35783	7157	6057	6952	6152	9465
5	West Godavari	112655	32113	80542	16108	14108	15252	15562	19512
6	Krishna	103693	38727	64966	12993	11956	11952	13052	15013
7	Guntur	31708	26010	5698	1140	1050	1120	1065	1323
8	Prakasam	140242	11567	128675	25735	24752	26900	25652	25636
9	SPSR Nellore	282852	136293	146559	29312	28952	28521	29985	29789
10	YSR Kadapa	107872	2000	105872	21174	22174	23568	21174	17782
11	Kurnool	80160	51265	28895	5779	5698	5258	5528	6632
12	Anantapur	141936	2441	139495	27899	26859	25655	28599	30483
13	Chittoor	300307	7340	292967	58593	57895	56896	59856	59727
	Anicuts & open head channels	354234	41507	312727	62545	61489	60458	61545	66690
	GRAND TOTAL	2560444	995959	1564485	312896	303058	305214	314722	328595
	Or say in Lakh Acres	25.6	9.96	15.64	3.13	3.03	3.05	3.14	3.29