One-day awareness programme under Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M- CADWM) Scheme was conducted at Council Hall, Beisumpuikam Village, Peren on June 11.

In his inaugural address, DC Peren Hiazu Meru acknowledged and lauded the Ministry of Jal Shakti, RD&GR, & WRD for taking up M- CADWM as a pilot project for Jalukiekam and Beisumpuikam Village. He also urged the participants and farmers present to make effective use of the project for the benefit of the villagers and the district as a whole.

SE & Nodal Officer of MCAD Scheme, Er Khrotso Koza, gave an overview of the implementation strategy and expected outcomes of the scheme. He highlighted on the development of irrigation in the state through centrally sponsored schemes such as AIBP and PMKSY-HKKP.

He stated that although the schemes have created huge irrigation potential, utilization remains low due to factors such as difficult terrain, less number of farmers in the family, insufficient water during   winter and autumn seasons and inability of the farmers to make farming a lucrative business.

To address these issues, the Government has introduced MCAD Scheme which is expected to revolutionize agriculture by providing irrigation water through pipes and solar powered pumping system using. He also added that the state Project Management Unit, District Level Implementation Committee, Water Users Society, Farmers Relationship Agency have been constituted and sought full cooperation from the farmers for successful implementation of the project.

Representing the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Deputy Director, Shubham Pachauri highlighted that the current problem of irrigation system is leakage in canals/ tail-end farmers not receiving water and no proper accounting of water usage for which change is needed. The Solution to this, is New System: Samridhi (M-CADWM) scheme which will deliver water to every field through a pipeline, ensure timely irrigation and provide equal distribution of water with proper water management, he said. He added that the scheme will help the farmers by way of giving them opportunities for multi cropping and more cultivation throughout the year, which will in turn increase the crop yield and help them increase their income. He also emphasis on the importance of Water User Society (WUS) and its benefit, as the farmers become the owner and manager the irrigation system through WUS after the Operation and Maintenance period of the project.

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He further highlighted another main focus of the scheme is women participation in the WUS. In conclusion, he called upon the farmers to join the WUS, Save Water and adopt the new technology which will help them become a prosperous farmer towards a Developed India.

James Kikon, Chief Technical Officer, Soil Science, KVK Peren, spoke on the role of KVK Peren in transferring the latest agricultural technologies. He said that given the village fertile lands and water resources, the scheme offers strong potential for improving water use efficiency, increasing cropping intensity through multiple crops, and boosting overall production and productivity. He encouraged farmers to actively participate in implementing the M-CADWM scheme and highlighted the role of Water User Societies (WUS) in ensuring proper management and equitable distribution of water.

Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Executive Engineer WRD Jalukie, Er Teiheile Hegeu, spoke about the MCAD scheme, under which the Mongleu-Jalukie cluster has been selected. She informed the farmers that the scheme is designed to supply irrigation water through pressurised pipes, and that it aims not only to develop irrigation infrastructure but also to educate farmers on increasing crop production and improving market linkages.

Technical Inputs on efficient water management, irrigation practices and field-level implementation was shared by Manpal Singh, Assistant Director, CWC Guwahati while Team Lead, M/s KPMG, Vaibhav Daure highlighted on the Progress of Cluster-Level activities and implementation frame work and project for Mongleu Cluster at Jalukiekam and Beisumpuikam Village.

The programme concluded with Vote of thanks proposed by Albert Ezung, ADC Jalukie.